In Loving Memory of Jerry Nowack [04/09/1948] – [02/07/2025]

Elder Gerald ("Jerry") Robert Nowack, 76, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A memorial service will be held at the Sallisaw Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday, March 2nd at 10:30 a.m. The address is: 2080 West Lennington Street, Sallisaw, OK 74955.

Jerry was born on April 9, 1948 in Fort Collins, Colorado to Robert and Peggy Nowack. He was raised in La Porte, Colorado and graduated from Cache La Poudre. After high school, Jerry attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins. While there he anonymously slipped into the back row of his parents' local church; and upon his swift, most un-stealthy exit, bodily collided into Bob Elliot, of Texas, a known cattle wrestler. Jerry and Bob soon became best friends. As roommates, Bob gave Jerry Bible studies. Jerry gave his heart to Jesus through baptism in 1972. His life's anthem became forevermore: "Would you be free of your burden of sin?"—first line from the hymn "Power In The Blood" (Lewis E. Jones, 1899).

Later, Jerry attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he met his future wife, Joann C. Hamman. He graduated from Union in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and a Minor in Psychology. During this time, both he and she solidified their mutual love of service as they worked amongst the Dine' (Navajo) Nation at La Vita Mission, in New Mexico. Jerry and Joann wed in the summer of 1973 in Antioch, California. They were married for 52 years.

"He preferred apple pie, even over cake for his birthdays," recalls Joann about this favorite love gift. "He was my Prince Valliant, and I was his Queen Victoria." Which is why their shared pie crusts were most often signed "Queen V x Prince V." A devoted learner, "Jerry always had his nose in a book," remembers Joann regarding additional coursework he'd proudly collected while in attendance at La Sierra University, in Riverside, California. Together, they were a ministry team, beginning in Kansas where he jumped into the ministry with both feet as a newly minted pastor, starting with a four-church district (La Crosse, Bazine, Nekoma and Hays). Jerry often relied on Joann to help edit sermons and Joann contributed her love for words by helping with Children's Story. With a passion for introducing others to his cherished Savior, he looked forward to his summers as Camp Pastor at Broken Arrow Ranch where he designed fun evening programs, living for each new chance to, yet again, share his favorite Friend in the world.

Jerry was a carpenter and expert mason in his brick-laying work—having worked his way through school as a janitor, he was never afraid to get his hands dirty cleaning the church. Jerry was ambidextrous and highly creative. Known to those closest to him as highly humble, he was also a covert lyricist and composer, only singing for a few cherished family weddings and those who were lucky enough to enjoy this his most intimate gift. His last pastoral assignment was Hutchinson, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Peggy Nowack. He is survived by his wife, Joann, sons Jared Nowack and his wife Danielle and their daughters Sydney and Willa of Poteau, Oklahoma; Joshua Nowack of Lincoln, Nebraska. He also leaves behind two brothers and two sisters (Ken, Regina, Lorrie and Mike).

To know him was to witness what it meant to truly live with purpose. He found joy in the simplest moments—holding his wife's hand, playing with his granddaughters, Sydney and Willa, sharing a meal with his sons, or offering a listening ear to anyone who needed it. Even in his final days, his faith never wavered.

Though the family's hearts ache in Jerry's absence, they are comforted that he is no longer suffering, but sleeping; and happily hold up "the blessed hope" Jerry taught them to know so well (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Rest well Jerry, until that great-great morning when you can wake up to the glittering admission: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Cremation Center of Poteau, Oklahoma.