Gerald "Jerry" C. Backus

Gerald “Jerry” C. Backus, age 72 of Oshkosh, passed away on May 26, 2025 at Oak Park Place of Menasha. He was born on March 23, 1953 to the late Henry and June (Eslinger) Backus in Oshkosh.

Jerry was known for his work as a barber, having spent many years at the barbershop on Church Ave., also known as Douville’s Family Hair Center, which later became Sheers.

He was a proud member of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church and cherished his time on the golf course and at baseball games. He had a special joy for coaching his sons' little league teams when they were younger and was a dedicated Green Bay Packers fan.

Over the years, Jerry took on many roles in the pageant world—most notably serving as the Director of the Miss Wisconsin State Pageant from 1974 until 1987. He was a familiar face on stage during state-wide telecasts from 1972 to 1984 and was proud to volunteer with the Miss Wisconsin Pageant Board of Directors for 14 years, even stepping up as Executive Vice President during the pageant’s 25th anniversary. His legacy continued as he took on the role of judge for both state and local pageants, sharing his expertise and passion with many aspiring contestants. Jerry also graced the stage at The Grand Oshkosh, where he often performed lead roles, captivating audiences with his talent.

Jerry is survived by his sons, Ryan (Christine) Backus and Shawn Backus; granddaughters, Natalie Backus and Sydney Backus; brothers, Mark (Mary) Backus, Paul (Ann) Backus and James Backus.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Brandon Backus.

A funeral service for Jerry will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025 at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1860 Wisconsin St, Oshkosh, WI 54901 with Rev. Connie Weiss officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

The Backus family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the amazing staff at Oak Park Place and Generations Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to Jerry.