Jerry Lee Arwood, age 74, of Leeton, MO passed away on July 10, 2023 at Adair Village in Clinton, MO. He enjoyed life to the fullest and touched countless lives for the better.

Jerry was born to Edgar Lee and Myrtle (Thompson) Arwood on March 27, 1949 in Warrensburg, MO and was a lifelong resident of Johnson County. Jerry is survived by his wife, Judith Ann (Burford) Arwood and two daughters, Tonia Arwood and Sharon Sweezey. His son, Jeremy, predeceased him on September 14, 1981.

He had seven grandchildren; in order of age, DeAnne Nichol, Kristen Haney, Daniel Haney, Alexandria Nichol, Steven Haney, and Elizabeth and Samantha Sweezey as well as one great-granddaughter Charlie Rae Haney.

Jerry was the oldest of eight siblings, one of whom, a brother, died at childbirth. He has three surviving siblings: his brother Roger (Marcelle) Arwood of North Kansas City, MO and his two sisters Joy (Wilfred) Mistele of Peculiar, MO and Pat Wilson of Leeton, MO. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Myrtle of Leeton, his brothers Jim Arwood of Warrensburg, MO and Randy Arwood of Leeton, MO, and his sister Sue Williams of Malta Bend, MO.

Jerry graduated from Leeton High School in 1967 and served on its School Board for many years. His children and most of his grandchildren attended and graduated from Leeton as well. Jerry & Judy were fixtures at sports events and music programs at Leeton for years.

He married his wife of 54 years, Judy, at Harmony Baptist Church on August 12, 1969 and departed two weeks later to serve his country with honor in the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1970. Jerry was a proud veteran.

Jerry and Judy parented three children, one of whom, Jeremy, died in 1981. Jerry's remains will rest next to Jeremy in Mineral Creek Cemetery. He was also incredibly proud of the accomplishments of his daughters and their families, enthusiastically attending picnics, backyard barbeques, graduations, basketball games and school activities just to name a few to enjoy their company.

Jerry graduated from the University of Central Missouri with his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture in 1979. Jerry and Judy lived on a farm north of Leeton, MO for 22 years. Jerry was passionate about not only his farmland, but that of others as he rented other properties to raise beef cattle. The simple acts of having a morning cup of coffee on his front porch, touching and smelling the land, helping in the birthing of calves, spotting bald eagles and just generally respecting God's earth gave him tremendous pleasure.

Jerry also worked as an insurance adjuster for American Family Insurance from 1986 to 2011 and could provide helpful insurance expertise, upon request, ever after.

He also served in various capacities of leadership at Harmony Baptist Church until it was burned by an arsonist in July 2020. He mourned the loss of Harmony, where his parents and siblings attended and where many happy memories were made.

Jerry believed in giving back to his country and community; he accomplished that through his school board service, his varied political activities and perhaps most importantly, being a source of wise and sound advice for his fellow farmers, his family and friends; an everlasting legacy.

All who knew him will remember Jerry as a giver; always willing and able to lend help, talk about problems, and sometimes quietly (and often anonymously) solving problems for others. His faith, farming, family, and friends always came "first" in his thoughts and actions.  Many times in the coming days, they will go to the phone to call him to ask for his help and advice before remembering his absence. He will truly be missed.

Visitation and viewing services for Jerry will be held at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg on Thursday, July 13 from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral services will Friday, July 14 at 2pm, also at the funeral home. A private family burial service will be held at Mineral Creek at a later date.

Please join his family at one or more of these services not only to celebrate and remember Jerry's life and contributions, but to share in the grief of his passing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to United Cerebral Palsy and can be left in care of the funeral home.