Jerry R. Self Jr.

Jerry R. Self Jr., age 57, of Omaha passed away on March 20, 2025, surrounded by his beloved wife Elizabeth and family. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Life Church (20710 Gold Cir, Elkhorn, NE 68022). The Visitation will be held from 5-7p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Good Shepherd Funeral Home- L Street Chapel. (4712 S 82nd St. Omaha, NE 68127).

Jerry was born on May 12, 1967, in Gastonia, North Carolina, the son of Bill and Kathleen Harrelson. He grew up in Dallas, North Carolina and graduated from North Gaston High School in 1985. After attending one semester at Gaston College, Jerry enlisted into the United States Air Force in January 1986. After completing his initial training in San Antonio, Texas, He was station at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. Jerry was assigned to the 3906 Special Security Squadron (SAC Elite Guard) where the Squadron provided security for the headquarters, Strategic Air Command (SAC) as well as personal protection for the Commander and Vice Commander of SAC. Jerry especially enjoyed working the tactical response force/emergency services teams as part of his duties.

In May 1989, Jerry married Kellien M. Anderson of Omaha. During their marriage, they raised three beautiful daughters. Kourtney Nicole Self (October 1989), Erin Marie Self (April 1994) and Alexandria Kathleen Self (August 1999). Jerry and Kelly divorced in October 2015.

After his six- year enlistment as an Air Force Security Police Member, he was hired by the Nebraska State Patrol as a Trooper in 1991. He completed his Nebraska State Patrol/Police training in December 1991. Jerry was stationed with the Headquarters Troop in Nebraska City, NE. During his time on the patrol, Jerry was also active with assisting the training academy with camp counselor duties, facilitating firearms training, simunitions training, and selective enforcement projects. In addition to his primary duties of Trooper, he spent time with the criminal, drug, alcohol, and executive protection divisions as special learning assignments.

During his time in the Air Force, Jerry was able to take classes and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources/Criminal Justice and an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Industrial Security. After joining the Nebraska State Patrol, he continued with graduate classes earning a Master of Arts in Management.

Jerry joined the Iowa Air National Guard, 185th Fighter Wing, Sioux City, Iowa upon separation from the U. S. Air Force in 1991 to continue his military service. From 1991 to 1995, he served with the 185th Security Police Squadron. In 1995, Jerry was selected for officer commissioning. After graduating from Officer Training in June 1995, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Jerry entered a new role as a disaster preparedness officer for the next two years. In 1998, Jerry was offered a full-time role with the 185th Air Fighter Wing as the Commander for the 185th Security Forces Squadron. Hesitantly, he left his full-time employment with the Nebraska State Patrol to return to military service full time. After moving to the Siouxland Area (Sioux City, IA), this turned out to be one of the best decisions of his lifetime.

Jerry went on to serve 29 years, 2 months, and 11 days with the U.S. Air Force and the Iowa Air National Guard. During his time, he served in many leadership roles including Emergency Management Officer, Personnel Officer, Security Forces Commander, Communications Commander, Wing and Public Affairs Officer, and Deputy Mission Support Commander. He also was continually active with the Air National Guard Bureau and Air Force Major Commands and served in many roles to assist in career field development and inspections support. He also traveled the world going to conferences, workshops, training, and deployments. Jerry considered himself a life-long learner and would take any training offered to him. Jerry retired from Active Duty on June 1, 2015 as a Lieutenant Colonel with the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City and the U. S. Air Force. Jerry always referenced that it was an honor to serve with so many amazing people across the military service branches.

After Jerry’s military retirement, he was offered a staff position with U. S. Senator Joni K. Ernst of Iowa. Jerry served as a regional director from 2015 to 2019. Jerry served as a regional and state representative for the U. S. Senator for outreach, casework, education, liaison, and problem solving. He assisted with public policy including Agriculture, Budget & Spending, Education, Energy & Environment, Health Care, Homeland Security, National Defense, Trade, Transportation, Jobs, Economy, Regulations, Seniors, and Veteran’s issues.

In September 2019, Jerry received a job offer as the Public & Congressional Affairs Officer at the U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs VA Central Iowa Medical Center. Jerry provided strategic public relations counsel to the Health Care System Director and senior staff on internal, external, social media, and congressional communications. He also provided support to all core hospital service lines to support Veterans patient care services in line with the strategic objectives and goals. Jerry especially enjoyed interacting and helping Veterans with their care and concerns.

Trying to get back to Omaha, Jerry received an offer from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Jerry served in project manager, congressional support, and public affairs. This was Jerry’s current employment position. Jerry was in disbelief that after serving the Air Force for 29 years, he was now working for the U. S. Army. This turned out to be an amazing capstone to his career. During his service, he coordinated a variety of non-recurring projects and special projects that were generally unique, usually unforeseen, and often required extensive research or analysis and a quick turn-around. He assisted with congressional relations on governmental, environmental, social, economic, or administrative matters at the local and national level that could affect mission readiness. Jerry also worked with public affairs developing and disseminating information relating to the Corps programs, objectives, and functions through the news media, organizations, and direct contact with the public.

In addition to his military career, he stayed active in law enforcement until 2019. Jerry was hired as the Chief of Police of Moville Iowa in September 1998. After completing his Iowa Law Enforcement Certification, he served the Moville Police Department for 10 years and served as the Chief of Police of Pierson Iowa for 8 years. He also served part-time with the Kingsley Police Department and the Sergeant Bluff Police Department as well. Jerry also served as an adjunct instructor with Western Iowa Tech Community College for over 16 years where he facilitated law enforcement courses primarily in ethics, patrol operations, and corrections. Jerry was a very patriotic man who enjoyed serving his country and giving back through his military, law enforcement, teaching, and volunteer service. Jerry was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and DAV. During his service in the military and law enforcement, he was so fortunate to have served with so many amazing people. They all were his Hero’s and he learned so much from them all that effectively shaped his career and developed him as a team member/leader.

On May 09, 2019, Jerry married his best friend and the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Garber in Sioux City after 3 wonderful years of courting. Meeting Elizabeth was by fate and falling in love with her was beyond his control. Jerry also told his family, friends, and anyone that would listen that Elizabeth treated him like a King, and he was not deserving. Jerry insisted that it be mentioned that Elizabeth was one of the best things that ever happened in his life along with having his children and grandchildren. Jerry credits Elizabeth with making him a better husband, father, and person by her examples of compassion, intentionality, patience, love, selflessness, and her spiritual commitment. His precious time with Elizabeth felt like a lifetime together.

Jerry attended many churches as he transitioned from Dallas (North Carolina) Omaha, Nebraska City (Nebraska), Moville, Sioux City, Des Moines (Iowa) and then back to Omaha with work. Jerry has called Life.Church of Elkhorn, Nebraska his home church for the last five plus years. Jerry and Elizabeth enjoyed attending Sunday Morning Services and volunteering whenever possible. They enjoyed volunteering for the operations team, filling in for Life Kids, Baptism weekend support, newcomers known support meetings, facilitating merchandise sales, and other roles as they presented themselves.

In his free time, Jerry loved spending time with Elizabeth, his children, grandchildren, and his Paw Patrol Family. When Jerry and Elizabeth met, they had six pets between the two (Beau, Chubbs, Cali, Big Show, Maisey, and Bella the cat). After the passing of Beau, Maisey, Big Show and Chubbs, two goldendoodle’s arrived about one year apart. Theo and Cora were an energetic and fun addition to the family. Jerry had a tender heart for pets/animals. Jerry was especially proud of his daughters Kourtney, Erin, and Alley along with his stepchildren Liam and Lily. Being a father/dad was his highest honor. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their events. He also had a fondness for firearms and recreational shooting. Jerry enjoyed shooting cowboy fastdraw with the local River City Gunslingers.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Self of Omaha; children: Kourtney Self of Carroll, IA, Erin Self (Nishant) of Brooklyn, NY, Alexandria Self (Daniel) of Iowa City, IA; Liam Cunard of Omaha, Lily Cunard of Omaha; grandchildren: Pierce, Lorelei; siblings: Cora Lynn Cranfield (Jeff) of Lincolnton, NC.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Theodore and Cora Mae Kirby, parents, Bill, and Kathleen Harrelson; infant sister Lisa Self:

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jerry’s Memory to the Little White Dog Rescue at www.littlewhitedogrescue.org.