Col. Jerry E. Brown
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Colonel USAF, ret. Jerry E. Brown
Jerry Brown passed away suddenly January 25, 2021 at his home in Grantville, Kansas. He was 84 years old. Jerry is survived by his wife, Georgia, to whom he was married 62 years; children Susan (Doug) Dalton, Todd Brown, and Stacy Brown; and grandchildren Steven and Lauren Dalton, Austin Garcia, sister Judy Wilhelm, a niece and 3 nephews and extended family.
Jerry was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 2, 1936. He attended Perry High School and upon graduating with distinguished honors from Washburn University, ROTC in 1962, Jerry was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, his military career spanning from 1962-1986.
In his 24 years of service, Jerry assumed roles of increasing responsibility and leadership: Missile Operations positions from Minuteman II-III and Space Operations In-Orbit Support Team, and various Commander Positions. In one such Commander position, Jerry served as the Team Leader for NASA's Gemini and Apollo Spacecraft Orbit program in Houston, Texas. Later he held the position of instructor and Chief of Staff for the Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Other military assignments included time at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and Base Commander of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Among Jerry's military honors are the Distinguished Graduate of Air War College and the Legion of Merit Award. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel.
Jerry continued his dedication to service as the President of Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, from 1994 to 2002. Always seeking to improve his community and the lives of those in it, Jerry was elected Lexington's mayor from 2009 to 2017--a position he held until moving back to the town he grew up in, Grantville, Kansas.
Jerry will be remembered by those he loved as a quintessential leader and serviceman. His integrity and dignity were pillars of all his endeavors, whether in service of his country, local community, or family.
Services will be Friday, January 29, 2021, 11:00am at Grantville United Methodist Church with burial following at the Grantville Cemetery. Whiteman Air Force Base Military Honor Guard will provide services. Live streaming can be viewed at www.grantvilleksumc.org. Barnett Family Funeral Home of Oskaloosa is assisting with arrangements.