BOONE, Iowa—Jerry Ray Mackie, 86, of Boone, Iowa, passed away at his home in Boone on Sunday, January 12, 2025. He was born on September 22, 1938, in Laurens, Iowa, the son of Howard and Mabel (Kemp) Mackie. He graduated from Laurens High School in 1957 and attended Dunwoody College of Technology from 1957 – 1959. While in High School, he played baseball and was on the football team in Junior High. On June 24, 1962, Jerry married Leritta Larson at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa. In 1974, they moved from Deloit, Iowa to Boone. In 1976, they moved from town to their present home two miles East of Boone.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Men, Barber Shop Quartet and Chorus, the church choir, bowling league, and he enjoyed gardening, yardwork, and coaching Little League Baseball. Music was a very important part of Jerry’s life. He loved singing and could often be heard singing while tending his garden. He also played his barbershop music while doing outside work. He would also walk through the house singing. He sang with the Ames Barbershop Chorus, called the Ametones. Barbershop Quartets included Practicing Musicians, Country Rouges, and 4 Singing Guys.
Throughout his life, Jerry worked at the Iowa Beef Packing Plant in Denison, the Denison Paper, the Des Moines Register, and Tribune, where he had to travel throughout Western Iowa. After moving to Boone, he was the Agency Manager for the Des Moines Register and Tribune. Jerry also worked for Dakin Ag putting up grain bins, and as an animal caretaker at the Iowa State University Vet Clinic. He retired at age 60.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Mabel Mackie; brother, Roger Mackie; and infant sister, Lona Mackie.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Leritta Mackie of Boone, IA; daughters, Alison (Jay) Larson of Boone, IA, and Holly (Dave) Snedden of Defiance, MO; son, Brian (Tonya) Mackie of Boone, IA; grandchildren: Chelsea (Jacob) Schmidt of Boone, IA, Conner (Makenzie) Larson of Boone, IA, Mackenzie Snedden (Josh Huber) of St. Louis, MO, Brady (Anna) Snedden of O’Fallon, MO, Dalton Snedden of Defiance, MO, and Kylie Mackie, Logan Mackie, and Landon Mackie all of Boone, IA; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Joy Roberts of Rolfe, IA, and Anne Walstead of Laurens, IA; brother, Gene Mackie of Cedar Falls, IA; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Boone, with Pastor Adam Gordon officiating. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone. Interment will be at Squire Boone Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family to use at their discretion.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with these arrangements.
Jerry Mackie, 86, Boone, Iowa
