Obituary of Jerry Lee DeFrance

Jerry Lee DeFrance was born to Hugh Hall DeFrance and Mary Heneritta Wright on May 6, 1932 in Pomona, California. When dad was young, he and his brother, Larry DeFrance, did everything together. They walked miles to investigate the lande. They would hunt rabbits and start a fire and cook them to eat. They would pick fruit from the various fruit trees they happened on. Jerry and Larry were there for each other, throughout their lives. Dad loved his brother deeply. As an adolescent, Jerry had a newspaper route and picked fruit to have spending money. His favorite thing to do with his money was to go to the theater and watch movies. Jerry met his future wife, Ora Nell Rainwater at the Walteria, California, church. Jerry married "Nell" in April 1954. Dad was a member of the of the United States Army, where he was trained to be in the military police, during the Korean War. While in California, Jerry worked on a barge building wharfs in the Los Angeles Harbor. Even though he worked in the ocean on a barge, dad never did learn to swim. He just said that you can't fall off the barge if you can't swim. He also worked with his brother and father at Lomita Trenching, his brother's company. Jerry also belonged to the Operating Engineers Union. Jerry and Nell had 3 children, Steven, Kimberly and Mark. Jerry and Nell moved to different states until they finally settled in Payette, Idaho. Jerry farmed and ranched for 20 plus years in Payette, Idaho. He raised cattle and sheep. He grew apples and alfalfa. Jerry was also known for building flat bed trailers with his son Steven. Dad enjoyed building and creating things out of scrap metal. He and O.H. Smith, were best friends and hung out together in the local Payette area. Jerry and Nell sold the farm outside of Payette, and moved to the city of Payette, in the late 1990's. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry, his beloved wife, Nell, his grandson, Steven Miles DeFrance, his cousins, aunts and uncles, and many dear friends. Jerry and Nell are now enjoying each other's company in heaven. Jerry left behind his 3 children, 7 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. We love you and miss you dad! Steven, Kim and Mark Service Details. Funeral Service When: Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 12:00pm Location: Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel Address: 112 N 9th St Payette, Idaho 83661 Interment Monday, November 28th, 2022 | When: Monday, November 28th, 2022 Location: Rosedale Memorial Gardens Address: 10350 N. Iowa Ave. Payette, Idaho 83661 Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Jerry DeFrance May 6, 1932 - November 17, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book