Jerome R. (Jerry) Sager, 93, passed away Jan. 17 after a battle with cancer in Edmond, Okla. He was born in Chicago, Ill., to Leslie and Meriam Sager, Aug. 2, 1924. He was raised in the Champaign area.
Jerry attended the Colorado School of Mines until he enlisted in the Navy in 1943-46, where he was a pilot. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and received the honor rank of Eagle Scout when he was 12 years old. He had the honor of being a scoutmaster in both Durango, Colo., and Anchorage, Alaska. He lived in the Durango/Farmington area for a while after the war, working in the oil business. Jerry eventually moved his family to Alaska, where he continued to work in the oil business for Shell Oil Company.
He married Marijane Duncan Aug. 16, 1953. To this union, children Christine and John were born. Marijane passed away in 1982. The oil business took Jerry to Oklahoma City, where he met Joan Campbell Bland. They were married Dec. 22, 1984. Because of his love for Colorado, he and Joan moved to Pagosa Springs, where they resided for 32 years, making wonderful, lifelong friendships and memories. Together, they traveled the world.
Jerry was an avid reader, hiker and skier, where he guided excursions with the Gray Wolves through the mountains. He participated in Colorado Senior Olympics, winning several swimming medals. Because of health problems, Jerry and Joan moved to Edmond, Okla. Jerry and Joan celebrated 33 years of marriage before her death, Sept. 13, 2017.
He is survived by his daughter, Christine Sager, and husband Dan Builderback, of Anchorage, Alaska; John Sager and wife Gina, of Keller, Texas; grandsons Nick (Emily) Sager, Houston, Texas; Ben Sager, Seattle, Wash.; and Sage Builderback, of California; nieces Victoria Bovard, of Austin, Texas; Kimberly Bennett, of Pocohantas, Ark.; and nephew Reid Robertson, of Tequesta, Fla.; step-children: Linda (Steve) Davis, of Edmond, Okla.; Wayne (Pam) Bland, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; step-grandchildren: Jeff (Karolyn) Davis, of Tyler, Texas; Hailee (Tiffany) Bland-Walsh, of Kansas City, Kan.; Anna Davis, of Pawnee, Okla.; Matthew Grant, of Denver, Colo.; and great-grandchildren Zach and Katy Davis, of Tyler, Texas.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marijane Duncan Sager, wife Joan Campbell Sager, sister Jean Robertson and in-laws.
Jerry and Joan chose to have their ashes spread at Pagosa Peak with a ceremony of burial in the Fort Scott, Kan., National Cemetery April 27.
