Gerald Brinton, 82, formerly of Libby
<p>Gerald Scott Brinton</p>
Gerald “Jerry” Scott Brinton, 82, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., died on Feb. 10, 2014 at his home.
Jerry was born to Harry and Grace Brinton on Dec. 15, 1931, in Libby. He grew up in Libby with his four brothers and one sister.
After graduating from high school in 1949, he joined the Army and served with the 37th Engineering Combat Company in Panama until 1953.
He met Lois Wilton of Lakeport, Mich., in Colorado Springs, Colo. shortly before his discharge from the Army, and they were married April 10, 1954.
The couple moved back to Libby where he worked as an equipment operator building roads for the J. Neils Lumber Co.
In 1956, Jerry began pursuing a teaching degree, first attending Port Huron Junior College in Michigan, then Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Ill.
He received a bachelor of science degree in teaching from Concordia in 1960.
Jerry’s love of the mountains, his desire to live in a small mountain town and a week-long stay at Vallecito Lake led him to choose southwest Colorado as the ideal location to raise his family.
He and Lois moved to Pagosa Springs, Colo., with their five children on Jan. 1, 1970, and lived at Hidden Valley Ranch, managing ranch operations and running a boys’ camp in the summer.
In 1976, Jerry obtained his realtors license, eventually opening his own firm, Brinton Realty, which he operated until his retirement.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois; sons, David (Dorothy) Brinton of Pagosa Springs, Colo., and Scott (Marjorie) Brinton of Durango, Colo.; daughters, Elizabeth (Freddy) Martinez, Kathryn (Mark) Young and Sara Brinton, all of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; brother, Jim (Pat) Brinton of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Sarah Jane; grandson, Christopher Young; sister, Shirley Brinton-Priess; and brothers, Richard, Robert and Tom Brinton.
The family wishes to express their appreciation for the compassion, support and caring shown by Judy Schmidt during the last days of Jerry’s life. Her help was invaluable and greatly appreciated.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 56 Meadows Drive, Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Our Savior Lutheran Church.