Jerry James Schoolcraft
1943-2001

BRIDGEPORT - Jerry James Schoolcraft, 57, Bridgeport, died Wednesday, May 30, 2001, at Heritage Health Care Center in Gering. 
His funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Bridgeport, with Pastor John Mustoe officiating. 
Burial will be in the Gurley Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Jolliffe Funeral Home in Bridgeport from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. 
Memorials may be given to the Bridgeport Rescue Unit in Jerry's name.
He was born on August 19, 1943, in Sidney, to Jerry A. and Anna Caywood Schoolcraft. He attended school in Gurley. He was one of the first 50,000 called to active duty during the Vietnam Conflict. 
After his discharge, he moved to Newcastle, Wyo. where he worked in a sawmill. He returned to Gurley where he worked for the Vernon Miller farm. 
He was united in marriage to Dorene Smith on December 22, 1973, in Sidney. The couple lived in the Sidney and Bridgeport areas their married life. 
He attended railroad school in Sidney for Burlington Northern. He worked as a carman for the railroad until he was injured at work and forced to take disability leave. 
He was active in the Army National Guard. He attended the Assembly of God Church in Dalton as a youth. He was very friendly and never knew a stranger. 
He enjoyed fishing, wood working, and received great joy from his grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Dorene Schoolcraft, Bridgeport; daughter and son-in-law, Ruby and Tommy Joe Moon, Longmont, Colo.; 
daughter, Jeana Schoolcraft, Bridgeport; grandchildren, Carrie Ann Schoolcraft, Emily and Issaiah Moon; mother, Anna Schoolcraft, Gurley; 
sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Ivan Dobrinski, Bridgeport; brother and sister-in-law, John and Sherril Schoolcraft, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 
brother, Joe Schoolcraft, Gurley; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jill and Bob Wood, Mackinau, Ill.; Pam Longbine, Webb City, Mo.; and 
Lynne and Sean Smith, Elm Creek, Neb.; mother and father-in-law, Don and Carrie Smith, Minatare; sisters-in-law, LaDonna Christensen, Bridgeport, 
Judy and Guy Coward, Atwater, Calif.; and Tracy and Brian Jopeck, Chanute, Kans.; brother-in-law, Don and Shara Smith, Minatare;
and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and infant grandson.