Jerry Youmans

On Friday, February 17, 2012, Wyoming lost one of its most beloved physicians when Jerry Lee Youmans, M.D. changed addresses from Casper, WY to Heaven, where he now resides with and has been healed by Jesus Christ, the Great Physician. Dr. Youmans was born in Shawnee, OK, March 30,1939, to Minor and Jewell Youmans. In 1947, the Amoco Pipeline brought the Youmans family west to Casper, which remained Jerry's hometown the rest of his life. He attended Willard Elementary School as a boy and graduated from NCHS, the University of Wyoming, and Northwestern Medical School in Chicago, IL. At the University of Wyoming Jerry met the love of his life, Kay Louise Stewart, whom he married June 29, 1963. After graduating from medical school, Jerry and Kay moved to Colorado where Jerry completed his training in Internal Medicine in Denver. Following that, they moved to Colorado Springs where Jerry proudly served in the Air Force at the Air Force Academy from 1969-1971. They returned to Casper in 1971, having added three children to their family with a fourth on the way. As the family settled down in the Windy City, Dr. Youmans assumed the practice of Brendan Phibbs, M.D. and ultimately formed a call partnership with Frederick "Fritz" Cubin, M.D. and Edward "Ted" Foxley, M.D., among others. Two years after establishing the medical practice, Jerry and his wife Kay began a new adventure, working countless late nights to open a tropical fish store, Aquatics, Ltd., in 1973. That venture ultimately grew into two full-scale pet stores, Aquatics & Critters, which served the community for more than three decades. "Dr. Jerry" was known for his unconventional bedside manner that included blue jeans, lime green tennis shoes, and a very colorful sense of humor that was often reflected in his t-shirts and jokes (which are still being told today). He practiced medicine in an era when waiting several hours to be seen (and everyone did) was worth it! The patients in Dr. Jerry's waiting room passed the time by enjoying his favorite comic books, watching his tropical fish, and being jolted out of their seats by the doctor's boisterous laughter echoing out of one of the exam rooms down the hall. After a quarter century of treating people with a compassionate heart, honest counsel, and (always) a note of hilarity, the doctor reluctantly retired from his practice in 1995 when rheumatoid arthritis disabled his skilled hands. The disease ultimately led to his going home to be with the Lord last Friday. Jerry Lee Youmans is survived by his wife, Kay; his four children, Jodi Youmans-Jones (Michael), Kristen Youmans, Stuart Youmans (Melissa), and Warren Youmans (Kim); his seven grandchildren, Larisa and Iliana Jones, Brooklyn, Kaylee, and Elijah Youmans, and Aiden and Addison Youmans; and his beloved brother in Christ, Marlan Scully. The family invites all who knew and loved Dr. Jerry to join them in giving thanks to God for his life followed by a good, old-fashioned Youmans' "Story Time" this Saturday, February 25, 1:00 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, where Jerry and Kay were married and have been members since settling in Casper. Casual dress is requested (just as Jerry would have wanted it!) and much laughter will be mingled with our tears (just as Jerry would have wanted it!). Jerry Youmans was passionate about serving his family and community, and enjoying God's Creation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wyoming, the Casper College Dance Program (268-2684), or Samaritan's Purse (800) 528-1980.