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Jerry Hynes, 70, of Creston, joyfully entered into the arms of his Savior Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Greater Regional Health in Creston. Celebration of Life Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at Crest Baptist Church, 1211 N. Poplar St., Creston. Pastor Neal McRae and Charles Spindler will officiate. The service will be livestreamed at a link found under events at powersfh.com. Interment will be private. Open visitation will be 2 to 7 p.m., with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Karla for a fitting tribute. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.
Jerry Brian Hynes was born Nov. 25, 1954, to Larry Hynes and Gracy Luppens (Hynes) in Redwood City, California. He graduated from Homestead High School in 1972. Jerry was an adventurous soul. He loved hiking the mountains in California and earned many hiking awards as a Boy Scout; he was on the swim team and also loved diving and biking.
He had some of the most unique jobs, learning a bit from each one to use later on in life. He installed security systems, sold Electrolux vacuum cleaners and even worked at a tomato factory – he lasted about a day. He also worked in construction for his dad and was so skilled at building, constructing and repairing homes. He discovered his niche and became a contracted house painter. He was truly an artist in painting, a lot of his work can be seen in Creston.
Jerry joined the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) when he closed his painting business. He spent some time on helicopters fighting fire but preferred staying on the ground. Here he learned to drink warm water, eat K-rations and could deploy a fire shelter blanket in less than 15 seconds. On his days off, he worked as an EMT. It was here he met the love of his life, Karla Hutchinson, a traveling nurse on assignment in Alturas, California. A true love story, Jerry and Karla eloped May 7, 1992, at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. They moved to Mount Ayr in 1994.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Grand View College in Des Moines in 1997 and was hired by the city of Creston as a full-time firefighter. He was thrilled to be promoted to lieutenant because of the honor and because it gave him the chance to learn to spell a really hard word. He loved his days at the fire station. He returned to school at DMACC to become certified as a nursing home administrator in 2002. Jerry served as the administrator for the Afton Care Center, among other nursing homes across the state.
In recent years, Jerry owned and managed a few properties in Creston but was getting ready to leave the rental business to completely retire. Jerry had many passions. Most important – he loved the Lord. He shared the gospel all the time – sometimes with words, but more often, with his actions. He talked with everyone. He championed the downtrodden and he encouraged the meek. He always took time for the constant stream of kids on Myrtle Street.
Next, he was completely in love with Karla, always finding some way to make her life safer and more secure. “I love you” was shared every night before going to bed. Jerry always had a cherished dog or two and loved sneaking them treats and teaching them fun tricks. He could always spot a good dog. Jerry loved food and would try anything once, but his entire diet could have consisted of Cheez Its, See’s Candy and eyelash curling coffee.
Left to treasure his memory include his wife Karla Hynes of Creston; brother, Larry Hynes of Reno, Nevada; sisters, Debbie (Scott) Soderquist of Arroyo Grande, California, Diane Hynes of San Luis Obispo, California, Becky (Tim) Ming, of Arroyo Grande, California, Gracie Hynes (fiancé Kevin Manchette) of Newark, California, Celia Barnett of Reno, Nevada, and Cheryl Murphy (Bear) of Sparks, Nevada; sisters-in-law, Kelli (Derrick) Bucy of Red Oak, Karen (Richard) Hanisch of West Des Moines and Tracee (Steve) Knapp of Redding; aunt Annette (Tootsie) Demaree of Vernon, British Columbia, Canada; nieces and nephews: Loch Soderquist, Huey Soderquist, Eric Soderquist and their families and Chase Hynes; Diane’s children - Brandi, Nicole, Geoffrey, Quentin, Dillon and Megan and their families; Becky’s children - Crystal, Lance, Erica, Elliot, Shelby and Madison and their families; Gracie Hynes’ daughter Gracy Galvan; Tara, Cory and Abree Barnett and their families; Tanya Perez and Ken Compton; Adam, Joshua and James Hanisch and their families; Damon Bucy, Lindsay Blaine, Lacey Frank and Melanie Barcus and their families; Adam, Joshua and James Hanisch and their families; Sandra, Lew, Reas and Trace Knapp and their families; along with numerous cousins. Plus, his entire church family, a community of friends he loved and adored, his neighbors on Myrtle Street and so many acquaintances he encountered. Also missing him dreadfully, faithful companions Avery and Bella.
He was such a wonderful man.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmoms, Pat Hynes and Joan Green.