Baltazor, Gerald D.

Gerald D. (Jerry) Baltazor passed away Sunday, May 16, 2010 
surrounded by family at St. Benedicts Family Medical Center 
in Jerome after a long bout with cancer. Jerry was born Nov. 
7, 1949 to Ray and Lucille Baltazor, long time Nampa 
residents. He was educated in the Nampa school system and 
the University of Idaho where in 1973 he received a Bachelor 
of Science degree in Fish and Wildlife Resource Management. 
Jerry married Juanita Reed of Coeur d'Alene on Dec. 15, 
1973. They made their early homes in St. Maries, Cascade, 
Emmett and Twin Falls while Jerry traveled around the state 
working for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. During 
this time he coauthored a book with and about his 
grandfather's life, capturing and training wild mustangs in the 
Owyhee Breaks of Eastern Oregon. In 1977 Jerry was offered 
and accepted a position as Conservation Officer in Shoshone, 
Idaho, a position he held for nearly 14 years. In 1979 he 
received a 110% Award from the 43rd Police Academy. He 
and Juanita raised three daughters in Shoshone, Hollie, 
Christy and Wendy. Jerry was active in his community, serving 
two four-year terms on the Shoshone City Council in the 
l980's and the City Planning and Zoning Commission for 
many years after that. In l991 Jerry accepted a position as 
Conservation Investigator, working out of the Jerome 
Regional Fish and Game Office. In 1998 he received the 
prestigious Wildlife Officer of the Year Award for Idaho from 
Shikar Safari International. One Officer from each state is 
honored by the club each year for exemplary work in wildlife 
law enforcement. In 2003 Jerry was named Enforcement 
Employee of the year by the Idaho Department of Fish and 
Game. He was preceded in death by his maternal and 
fraternal grandparents, and his father, Raymond H. Baltazor, 
all of Nampa. He is survived by his wife, Juanita, daughters, 
Hollie, Christy and Wendy all of Boise, his mother, Lucille 
Baltazor of Nampa, his brother, Jim (Anita) Baltazor of 
Emmett, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. The 
funeral will be held Friday, May 21st, at 3:30 p.m. at the 
Shoshone Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints, 505 N. 
Greenwood. An Inurnment for family and friends will be held 
Monday, May 24th, at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 
15862 S. Indiana Avenue in Caldwell. In lieu of flowers, Jerry 
requested donations to Shoshone Elementary Library Reading 
is Fundamental (RIF) program, the Idaho Talking Book Service 
or another charity of choice. The family extends a special 
thank you to Dr. James Irwin and his nurse, Lori, of Family 
Care Physicians in Jerome.

Published in Idaho Statesman on May 20, 2010