Obituary of Gerald Hugh Hemphill

Gerald (Jake) Hugh Hemphill died of natural causes on June 25th, 2021. Jake was born on July 26th, 1931 in Marshalltown, Iowa. His parents were Floyd and Mary (Pollak) Hemphill. His siblings included Ed, Kate, and David. David is the only surviving sibling. Jake married Evelyn Joanne Hauser on October 2nd, 1955 and had one son, John Hugh Hemphill. John and his wife Lorie have three sons; Chad, Chase, and Curt. Jake was looking forward to the birth of his first Great grandson in October. He enjoyed spending time with his grandsons. In 1950 Jake joined the navy and served during the Korean War on the Destroyer Escort USS Ulvert M. Moore and later on the Navy Cruiser Los Angeles as a boiler tender and Yeoman. He was very proud of his service and remembered his time in the Navy fondly. Jake completed three years of college, one at Marshalltown Junior College, and two at the University of Iowa. He worked at Collins Radio for six years, eight years as a milkman for Hometown Dairy, and twenty four years as a power plant engineer at Iowa Medical Security Prison in Coralville. Jake loved to golf. He got two hole in ones within a year. He really enjoyed to fish and hunt. He would shoot at pheasants that his buddy, Lassie, a Border Collie, would chase up from the cornrows. Jake’s gentle demeanor and story telling will be missed by his family, friends, and early morning breakfast buddies. He chose to only see the good in other people. A simple cremation has been arranged for Jake in accordance with his wishes. Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.