MILLER, SD – Jerry Poindexter, 75, of Miller, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Highmore Health in Highmore, SD.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, Miller, with Pastor Jonathan Poindexter officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.
Jerry Wayne Poindexter was born May 1, 1951, in Friona, Texas, to H.A. and Doris (Moody) Poindexter. He joined his older brother, Hal (October 22, 1945), and later welcomed his younger brother, Don (January 8, 1954). As Jerry liked to say, he “moved his family” to Miller, South Dakota, when he was one year old. The family lived in town until Jerry reached the third grade, when they moved to the farm after completing their new home.
Jerry enjoyed a life filled with simple joys and hard work. He loved riding horses, moving cattle, shooting flickertails, and especially the daily rhythm of life on the farm. He graduated from Miller High School in 1969. He attended one semester at South Dakota State University before transferring to Bismarck Junior College to be closer to the love of his life, Jackie. Before long, the two decided to make their home in Miller and farmed alongside Jerry’s father.
Jerry and Jackie (Cook) were married October 4, 1970. They welcomed three wonderful sons: Pete (October 3, 1974) and twins, Andy and Matt (August 8, 1976). Life with three young boys was busy, but Jerry embraced it wholeheartedly, gladly getting up at night to change hundreds of cloth diapers. In 1980, Jerry and Jackie built an earth-sheltered home south of town, later adding on in 1988 to accommodate their growing family. It remains their home to this day.
Jerry and his dad spent countless hours at auctions and farm sales searching for “bargains.” As Jerry’s hearing declined, online sales became a blessing—allowing him to hunt for deals from the comfort of home. He received a cochlear implant in his right ear and was looking forward to receiving one in his left ear this fall.
When grandchildren began arriving in 2001, Jerry’s bargain hunting took on a new purpose. He scoured every clearance aisle for toys he thought the grandkids might enjoy. The “big kids” were spoiled too—Christmas often included totes full of deals Jerry simply couldn’t leave behind. He loved sharing his finds with others and was known for bringing gifts to the bank, clinic, and senior center.
Throughout his life, Jerry faced many health challenges, including thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and Crohn’s disease. When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on March 2nd, he understood this would likely be his final battle.
Jerry loved farming and raising Angus cattle. He and Jackie worked side by side, building a beautiful life together over 55 years of marriage. They traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Washington D.C., and enjoyed a fall foliage tour—though Jerry preferred to call it their trip to “see the dead leaves.” He adored his grandchildren, taking them on adventures around the farm and chasing the youngest two around the house to “scare” them but more to just make them laugh.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jackie; his sons: Pete (Dawne Pilipick) and their children, Sara and Ryan of Sioux Falls; Andy (Rachael Cihak) and their children, Meghan (Trenten), Emily, Isabelle, Dashal, Ellison, and Jameson of Miller; and Matt of Sioux Falls; his brother, Don (Karen); sisters-in-law, Marian Poindexter and Shirley Cook; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his mother, Doris (1998); brother, Hal (2000); father, H.A. (2015); in-laws, Jack and Georgia Cook; brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Tess Cook; and brother-in-law, Mike Cook.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Jerry’s arrangements.
