Jared Keith BACKUES

May 17, 1939 - November 25, 2019

Jared (Jerry) Keith Backues, 80, passed away on November 25, 2019 at Mercy South Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. Jerry was born on May 17, 1939 in Belle, Missouri to the late Rainey Backues and Sopha (Shanks) Backues of Belle, Missouri. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Edith Scronce of Rhineland Missouri, and by his brother, Norman Backues of Dallas Texas. Jerry was a composer, novelist, and playwright. His original music compositions have been performed by the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra and the Romanza Cafe Trio. Jerry was a graduate of the US Navy School of Music and performed with an 18 piece dance band which toured Europe for an extensive amount of time. Later he toured the East Coast for ten months as a baritone vocalist and trumpet player with a large dance band. In Europe and America he performed on radio, television and at public concerts in many major cities. Upon returning to the US, Jerry sang for two years as an entertainer in two Chicago night clubs and with the St. Louis Grand Opera Guild. He was also a frequent entertainer at Gaslight Square in St. Louis. Aside from his musical giftedness and he had a love and knowledge of Arabian horses. He had many years raising and training pure bred Arabian horses at his farm “Freedom Farm” in Foristell Missouri. Jerry will be remembered for the way he could spin a tale, and tell a “classic Jerry joke.” And Jerry loved to give gifts; he came to every family gathering with several packages under his arm. He had a great heart, a heart big enough for all of the family and friends whom he loved dearly. We will greatly miss him. Jerry will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, where his brother Norm is buried. A memorial service is being planned for a later date. A Graveside with honors will be held Friday, January 10, 2020 at 2:30pm at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.