Gerald Leon Pheasant, a.k.a. Gerry, 90, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, December 6, 2023. He suffered with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia and had pneumonia the last week and one-half of his life. Born and raised on the family dairy farm in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Homer F. Pheasant and the late Cora B. (Brumbaugh) Pheasant.
Gerry is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet Louise (Summers) Pheasant. They had four children, all living; Emily (Pheasant) (Boyle) Carper of Ephrata, Pa, Kathy (Pheasant) (Stouffer) Martin of Newburg, Pa, Frank Pheasant of Chambersburg Pa, and Timothy Pheasant of Fort Loudon, Pa.
Born the fifth of 10 children, Gerry is survived by siblings Marion Pheasant of Eden, NY, Emma Jane Shreiner of Lititz, PA, and Clayton Pheasant of Alexandria, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Homer and Cora Pheasant, and siblings Thelma McCall, Betty Russell, Robert Pheasant, Philip Pheasant, Paul Pheasant, and an infant.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and preceded in death by two grandchildren, Daniel Pheasant and Christian Stouffer.
Gerry and Janet lived 1985-1989 in Lakemont, NY, where they worked with a Christian organization, serving in numerous capacities as they ministered to trouble youth.
Gerry was committed to his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and who heartedly served in a church in each of the locations where he lived. He served in numerous areas of ministries, including as a young adult Sunday school class teacher, as a song leader.
After graduation in 1952 from Morrison Cove High, Martinsburg, PA, Gerry began his over-the-road tractor trailer truck driving career. Over the years, he drove for George Transfer Trucking, for Yellow Freight, and as an independent driver. Upon retiring from Yellow Freight, he bought dump trucks and began Pheasant Transport and Digging Company. His son, Frank, later became his business partner.
He dairy farmed for 12 years and spent some time as a life insurance agent and as a farm implements salesman.
Gerry loved family, people, a good joke and laughter, and supporting God- honoring ministries, and enjoyed singing, camping, especially at Raystown Lake, boating, outdoor cooking, eating good home cooking, and working. His work passions were trucking and farming. When there was a project in the works or an idea or desire that he thought was worthy of pursuing, he could frequently be heard stating “a fella oughta…” One of Gerry’s most favorite song was “Some Golden Day Break ” By Charles Arthur Black.
“My husband and our dad, ‘A face-to-face Merry Christmas with Emmanuel who long ago came to spend 33 years on earth to be the final sacrifice for our sins!'”
Memorial service will be planned for a later date.
Throughout his many years, Gerry helped many people. To continue this legacy of ministering to others and in his memory, contributions may be made to the Mt. Olivet United Brethren Church, Benevolent Fund, 8204 Fort McCord Rd., Chambersburg, PA, 17202
Arrangements have been entrusted to SimpleChoice Cremation Services of Chambersburg.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.simple-choicecremation.com.
