Jerry was born on January 31, 1934 in Norfolk, NE to Robert E. and Edna (Mueller) Drager. Jerry graduated from Rapid City High School in 1952. On June 13, 1951, he was employed as a laborer in the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Roundhouse. After high school, on June 11, 1952, he was hired as a Locomotive Fireman with the same railroad. In 1965, following graduation from Black Hills State College, he became a Trainmaster/ Traveling Engineer until his retirement from the C & NW in December of 1994. He was quite proud of his 45+ years of railroad employment and would talk to anybody about local railroad history. He was an active member of the C & NW Historical society.Jerry entered the U.S. Army on February 16, 1954 and spent 15 months in Korea and Japan. He was honorably discharged on February 9, 1956.On November 18, 1959, Jerry married Sheryl Allen in Rapid City. To this union, two children were born. Amy Stokes of Edgemont, SD and Jay Drager of Alliance, NE.Following his retirement, Jerry went to work as an engineer on the Nebkota Railroad in Chadron, NE and the Black Hills Central Railroad in Hill City, SD. He was also a substitute teacher in the Rapid City schools. Jerry enjoyed reading, working puzzles traveling and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He looked forward to trips to Deadwood and planting flowers and tomatoes in the spring. Jerry and Sherrie traveled extensively and enjoyed attending musical and theatrical productions in the area. He was also a member Faith Lutheran Church.Jerry is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sherrie, of Rapid City; children Amy (Jon) Stokes of Edgemont, SD and Jay (Nora) Drager of Alliance, NE; 6 grandchildren, Kyle, Trevor and Carly Stokes and Emilee, Samara and Vincent Drager; brother and sister-in-law Lawrence and Lavada Allen of Knoxville, TN; sisters and brother-in- law Joan and Jerry Johnson of Williamsburg, VA and Bonnie Blomberg of Salem, VA.He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Renee and Marvin Johnson and sister-in-law Elaine DeBoer.