Jerry Joe Peacore

Jerry Joe Peacore passed away at his home in Klamath Falls, Ore. from natural causes on Oct. 29, 2021. He was 72. Jerry was born in Bigfork, Minn. On June 15, 1949, to Marion and Lawrence Peacore. He attended and wrestled at Klamath Union High School graduating in 1968. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army where he was a member of the 589th Engineers Company C serving in Vietnam from April 1969 to April 1970. For his service, Jerry earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, 2 O/S Bars and Expert Rifle. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Klamath Falls and worked as a timber faller and truck driver. Jerry met and married Maralea Dehlinger in 1972 and they made their home in Klamath Falls. In the early years of their marriage, they water skied, fished, and packed in and camped in the wilderness areas around Klamath Falls. In 1983, Jerry and Maralea opened Klamath Air Filter Cleaning. A+ Storage and Shipping was opened later and was in business for 35 years. Upon retirement, Jerry continued working with his large equipment around his home and property. Jerry’s big passion was hunting in the United States and many different countries. Maralea tagged along with her camera. He also loved to buy and refurbish equipment he found on the internet. Jerry was a member of the Klamath Falls Masonic Lodge #77, and, in 1989, he became a Shriner and joined the Desert Patrol riding his mule in parades. As a member, he dedicated his life to helping raise money to support the Shriners Hospital for Children. In 1999, Jerry was elected Potentate of the Hillah Shrine. Jerry is survived by his wife, Maralea, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Diane Mathis and Roger Hargraves, brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Carolyn Peacore; nieces, Emily Mathis and her husband, Kyle Hargen, Jillian Rhoades and her husband, Nick, Laurie Peacore and her husband, Joe Werlinger; great nieces and nephews, Liam, Reese, Hudson and Adele Rhoades, and Jered Werlinger. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Clyde and Georgia “Cookie” Dehlinger. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3009 or online at shrinerschildrens.org. A graveside service will be at 2:00pm on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 at Mt. Laki Cemetery. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be at 2:00pm on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church, 601 Pine Street in Klamath Falls. Condolences may be expressed online at www.cascadecremations.com. Cascade Cremation & Burial is assisting the family.