Posted by Ellie Knight on October 8, 2003:

In June 1937, Jerry was a mere 17 years old when he left home in Nocona, Texas to seek his dream of a college education at West Point. He never looked back and a distinguished 30 year career followed. He married Eleanore (Billie) Flaherty in 1942 and soon after left to serve his nation in the Pacific Theater where he saw duty in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Luzon, and the North Solomon Islands. Upon his return from the War he attended Columbia University and then served on the Academic Staff at his beloved West Point. Subsequent stations were in Athens, Greece, Washington DC, Army War College at Carlisle, PA, Camp St. Barbara, South Korea, Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. During those years he earned the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit w/ 3 clusters, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal. He retired as a Brigadier General in 1970 and began a second career as a Secondary School Math Teacher in New Mexico. After 11 years teaching in Albuquerque Public Schools he retired again. Upon his death in Sept 1994 he was survived by his wife Bille, daughters Linda, Leslie, Ellie, son David and 8 grandchildren. Never has one been revered so highly and missed so deeply by his survivors as our beloved "Pap."

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