Celebrating 50 years together

Jerry & Shelly Deromedi are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. They were married on August 28, 1970, but have known each other all of their lives. Shelly grew up in Kirby, and Jerry grew up in Gebo. Both their grandparents were miners in Gebo, and grandfathers were best friends. They happened to be high school sweethearts. When Jerry was a sophomore, his family moved to Kirby in 1966 and they lived across the street from Shelly's family. While they were teenagers Jerry asked her if she wanted to go for a ride on his motorcycle. They called it "love at first ride." They dated through high school for two years. When Jerry graduated he was drafted in the army and went to Vietnam. 

Jerry was in training for a while and they wrote letters to each other. Shelly wrote daily and Jerry wrote when he was able to. When Jerry was home on leave, they attended a friend's wedding and they talked about getting married themselves. Jerry returned to the service and they made long-distance plans for their wedding.

Jerry was in the service for two years and returned home on August 21, 1970. Both of their parents and Shelly drove to Casper to meet Jerry come on the plane and seven days later was the wedding. Shelly said she was "Glad to see him. He looked good. He looked grown-up. He changed a lot in a year. It was great to see him. He was safe, thank God." 

They settled as a married couple in Kirby, and local friends held a party for Jerry's return. They had an eight-gallon keg of beer and soda for the kids. 

Next, their plans were to go to school at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. They attend university for only one semester. The adjustment from the Vietnam experience and immediately getting married and going to school was difficult. Jerry ended up getting a job on an oil rig. Jerry explained that it was "hard to hear the professors telling him what to do." The school wasn't the right thing for him at the time. Shelly said, "It was too much right at first. We needed to slow down. Getting to know each other again." Jerry said he "wanted to get a job and start making money."

Jerry had a job on the drilling rigs out in the oil fields in Riverton and Fremont County. Shelly started attending school at Central Wyoming College. However, shortly after Jerry started work, there was an accident on the rig and Jerry had to have his leg amputated. Jerry was then brought back to Thermopolis at Gottsche for surgery and rehabilitation. Shelly said it was not what they had planned at all for their lives. Shelly got a job at NOWCAP in the office and worked there for several years. Jerry continued therapy and later got a job at the police station as a patrolman for about three years. 

Shelly also worked at the movie theater and the drive-in theater. One particular night at the drive-in, Shelly drove a camper and hit the ticket booth and turned it on its axis. Shelly had to call the police and Jerry had to investigate her accident. 

When it comes to hard times and experiencing life Shelly said it's important to "believe in yourself and each other and that things are going to work out. One way or another, they are going to work out. You have to be patient and as strong as you can."

Regarding the things they admire about each other, Jerry laughed and eagerly said, "She's a good cook and a good person in general." She said she admires Jerry's strength and ability to control his temper and his patience. "His compassion for other people who have had things happen in their life." 

Shelly said they are really different people, "He's usually outgoing with people and I am the quiet one. There are good times and bad times, and you don't always agree on everything. But if you can see the other person's point of view, and whether you agree or not, listen. 

Jerry said, "If you want to be happy, you gotta work at it as a couple, and you'll be happy."