Jerome Francis 'Jerry' Stoick, 85

Jerome Francis “Jerry” Stoick passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017, due to natural causes.   

Jerry was born in Missoula on July 31, 1931, to Reinhold and Francis Stoick. He attended grade school and high school in Missoula and enrolled in the University of Montana in 1949 before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. 

In 1951 Jerry married Betty M. Cooper in Missoula. They have celebrated 64 years of marriage together with five children.  

He earned his pharmacy degree from the University of Montana in 1957. Jerry was exposed to his future profession at an early age. His father, Rhynie became a pharmacist in 1925 and operated a pharmacy in Missoula for 32 years. Jerry worked with his dad until his death. The family moved to Deer Lodge and then Sandpoint, Idaho, prior to to Jerry purchasing what was Adams Drug on Idaho Street in Kalispell before changing the name to Stoick Drug. Upon retirement Jerry sold the drug store to his sons Greg and David, who were later joined by granddaughter Kim Murray — all pharmacists.

Jerry was awarded Montana Pharmacist of the Year for Community Service and received the Bowl of Hygeia from the State Pharmaceutical Association. He was past president of Kalispell Rotary Club, was a past member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis and Kalispell Lakers Baseball, to name a few. He also served on the board of directors for Flathead Industries for many years. In 2003, Jerry donated a kidney to granddaughter Kelli Stoick.

He was raised an avid hunter and fisherman by his parents, spending many days on the Blackfoot River and in the Mission Valley. He also loved to golf, ski and shoot trap. He has passed this legacy onto his children and grandchildren. After retirement Jerry and Betty enjoyed 18 winters in Arizona and summers on Flathead Lake. 

Jerry is survived by wife Betty, daughters Carol Lechner (Fred), and Judy Stoick, and son David Stoick (Tracy), who all live in Kalispell with their families. There are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by sons Gary and Greg Stoick, and granddaughter Kelli Stoick.

Memorials are suggested to Flathead Industries, Kalispell Rotary, or the charity of your choice.

Services are planned for 3 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Darlington Funeral Home in Evergreen.  A reception will follow from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Elks Club in Kalispell.