Jerry Austin Frost

Our father, Jerry Austin Frost, died Monday, December 6, 2021 at his home on the Frost family ranch in Linden Valley, Arizona. He was 89-years-old.

Jerry was born January 5, 1932 in Snowflake, Arizona. He grew up in the White Mountains of Arizona on a ranch in Linden Valley. He loved that ranch; for him, it was his idea of Heaven on earth. After growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, he graduated from Snowflake High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. He was an all-around athlete earning all-state honors in football, going undefeated for a season in the mile,  and having the opportunity to go on and play college basketball for Eastern Arizona College. Even as he grew older, he could rarely be beaten by his sons in a game of HORSE.

After his time at Eastern Arizona College, he chose to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the Eastern States Mission, which ranged from New York to Ohio. It was there that he earned the title he would cherish most throughout his life: Missionary. When he returned home from his mission, it was the tail end of the Korean War, and Jerry enlisted in the United States Army. Before being shipped off to Korea, and while in training at Ft. Ord California, he met a young Air Force nurse named Joan Smith. She became the love of his life and the mother of their seven children.

Following his military service, Jerry and Joan were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They settled temporarily in South Phoenix while he worked to complete his teaching degree at Arizona State University. After completing his degree, he began teaching 6th grade Science. Jerry also taught Seminary classes at South Mountain High School and served as Stake Mission President in South Phoenix.

Jerry and his family moved to Show Low, where he served as High Councilor, Bishop, Branch President, and many other Church callings. Jerry loved to serve others in need. He taught at Show Low Elementary and Show Low Junior High from 1967 until 1990. He was well known by students and faculty for his dedication. He never lost his love for sports, and during this time, he served as Show Low School district’s Athletic Director. He was always busy working in the service of his fellow man. Jerry was a man that you could always depend on.

For many years, Jerry was the Chairman of the Show Low Rodeo. He loved cowboy cooking and was known far and wide for his Dutch oven skills. After retiring, Jerry served many senior missions. When his sweetheart passed away in 2003, he found refuge serving in the Snowflake Temple. He later married Patricia Malan, and they went on to serve as senior missionaries in New York. Jerry was still working in the Snowflake Temple until just recently, when he graduated to join our mother on the other side.

Jerry will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his seven children, 30 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren. If he were with us today, he would say that he has truly lived a “Wonderful Life”.

The public visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., Friday, January 7, 2022, at Owens Livingston Mortuary (White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street, Show Low, Arizona.) The funeral service will begin at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the Show Low Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1401 W. Deuce of Clubs, Show Low, AZ.) The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Frost Family Cemetery at their ranch.