Jerry Steven Highfill, 62, Adrian, Missouri, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 10 at the Adrian Christian Church, Adrian, Missouri, with burial in Scott Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri. Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian. Jerry loved children and animals. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Midwest Animal ResQ.


Jerry was born November 21, 1951 in Springfield, Missouri to Lee and Pauline (Tummons) Highfill. Jerry attended school in Lee's Summit, Missouri before moving to Adrian in 1968. He graduated from Adrian High School in 1969 and was looking forward to his 45th class reunion. Jerry attended Longview Community College in Lee's Summit, Missouri and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973. He was employed by Western Electric, Anaconda, Russell Stover, and Bendix/Honeywell. Jerry retired from Honeywell in 2013.

On June 15, 1974, he married Patricia "Trish" Champlin. They would have celebrated their 40th anniversary this June. They were blessed with four children. Jerry's priority in life was taking care of his family. He was known for his strong work ethic, generosity, great sense of humor, kind heart, and friendliness. He loved Sunday dinners with his family, visiting with friends, spending time at the lake, watching the Chiefs and caring for animals. He was a very special man who was loved by so many and who touched many lives by giving of himself for others.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Beverly Peterson and Pamela Jenkins. He is survived by his devoted wife, Trish, of the home; three daughters, Jaime (Paul) Reitz, Jill (Tony) Riley, and Deena Highfill; and one son, Dustin Highfill and fiancée, Bekah Evans, all of Adrian, Missouri; one sister, Karen (Gary) Moulder of Lee's Summit, Missouri; and ten grandchildren: Rena and Jayden Reitz; Drew, Ashley, and Sabryna Riley; Chevelle Peel; Bryson, Trevor, Dylan, and Koda Highfill and so many other relatives and friends.