John "Jerry" Wilda

John “Jerry” Wilda was born August 28, 1935, in Star, Idaho, to Charles and Mabel (Babe) Wilda. Grandma Babe often shared how he was not breathing when he was born, his skin was almost black, but Doctor Thomas breathed for him for over an hour. This fact is #1 on a list of over 30 times Jerry should have died, but God had a use for him and saved him every time.

Memorial Service to held at 6:00 P.M. Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Church of God of Prophecy, 11535 Smith Ave. Nampa, ID.

Jerry had two younger sisters: Annette Gould and Linda Cook, both of Nampa, ID. He grew up close to the riverbanks of the Boise River, where he loved hunting ducks. His parents gave him one box of shotgun shells each year, but he soon learned he could trade ducks for shells from his neighbors, giving him the opportunity to continue hunting through the whole season. He could not afford to purchase a fancy duck call, so he taught himself the various calls to entice those ducks by just using his mouth. He was so good at the calls that he often attracted ducks heading towards other hunters to his own area of the river.

Jerry was 20 years old when he married the love of his life, Barbara “Bobbie” Jean Dobbs, of Nampa, ID. He often said that she was probably the only woman in the world who wouldn’t shoot him. They had a wonderful 65 years together and he missed her dearly every day when she went to heaven.

Jerry had ordered sons; however, he and Bobbie had four daughters, sadly eluding the possibility of extending the Wilda lineage but Jerry loved his girls with all of his heart.

As Jerry grew older, he would remark that, “When one gets old, they get old all over.” We noticed this especially in his hearing, which sometimes seemed to worsen each day. Consequently, our home would not be considered a quiet dwelling. We would hear him shout, “Bobbie,” but it often took several louder shouts with her reply, “What?” Sometimes he remembered what he wanted to say, but that wasn’t always the case.

Law enforcement was the means to provide income for the house while Jerry’s main interest was working for the Lord. He began pastoring in the Church of God in the early sixties, continuing until Jesus took him home on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Jerry loved to paint and he also loved to share his knowledge with others. On one occasion he happily sat at the kitchen table with two of his great granddaughters (Audrey and Shyla) instructing them on working with watercolors. He often said if it didn’t have hair, fur, wings, or fins, he didn’t paint it.

Anyone who knew Jerry was aware of his great sense of humor. Days before his death, when the nurse would ask him what month it was, he would answer with a huge smile, “June-tember.” While in the hospital Jerry was able to watch his last Denver Bronco football game. At this time his speech was unintelligible, but those family members in the room with him got a kick out of hearing him loudly say, “Touchdown!” The Wilda home was often filled with a lot of laughter, usually concerning ones-self.

Jerry is survived by his four daughters: Vicki (Stephen [d.]) Smith, Cleveland, TN; Jacki (Roger) Slack, Caldwell, ID: Billi Jo (Paul) Pino, Dunnellon, FL; and Gerri Kay (Colin) Shuler, Reidsville, NC., 12 grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren, his sister, Linda Cook, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jerry & Bobbie raised their girls to always put God first. They are deeply involved in the ministry, and most all of their grandchildren and great grandchildren actively serve the Lord today and are involved in some sort of ministry.

Although Jerry spent a great amount of time at his art table, one often heard him very loudly thanking and praising God. He would say that not only did he speak to God, but God also spoke to him.

His family will miss him greatly, and he had so many friends that will also.