Jerold LaVerne Weiss

Jerold L. Weiss, Col, USAF (Ret.)

 Jerold LaVerne Weiss, 81, of Summerville, SC, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Brookdale Stonebridge Ranch in McKinney, TX. 

Jerry was born on March 12, 1941, in Mondovi, Wisconsin to LaVerne and Irene (Teela) Weiss. He married his hometown sweetheart, Barbara Kay (Norrish) Weiss on June 17, 1961, and they were married for 43 wonderful years before Barb died in 2004. Jerry found love again and married Gail (Greenslet) Weiss on December 6, 2007. She passed away February 10, 2022. 

Jerry graduated from Mondovi High School in 1959. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from Troy State University, Troy, AL, in 1973.

He completed Aviation Cadet Training at Harlingen AFB, TX, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1960. His early career was spent in Strategic Air Command as a navigator bombardier at Harlingen AFB, Mather, AFB, and Lincoln AFB. In 1967, he earned his pilot wings and flew C-141s and C-5s. He spent the rest of his USAF career in the Military Airlift Command at Charleston AFB, Travis AFB, Scott AFB, Osan Air Base, South Korea and McGuire AFB. His final command position was as Wing Commander for the 438th Military Airlift Wing at McGuire AFB.  Jerry’s distinguished career also included a one-year tour in Vietnam (1968-1969) as a Forward Air Controller with more than 300 combat missions. He was a command pilot with over 5,000 hours of flying time. His military decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 8 oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. 

Jerry and Barb retired to Summerville, SC, in 1989. He later worked for Hughes Aircraft managing the C-17 simulator program. After retiring from Hughes in 1998, he perfected his golf game, traveled abroad and throughout the US, spent lots of time with family and friends, honed his cooking skills and became more active in the community and his church. 

He is survived by his daughter Kim (Hank) Finn of Deatsville, AL, daughter Jamie (John) Feilen of Dayton, OH, and son Jeff (Diane) Weiss of McKinney, TX; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; brothers Ray (Jan) Weiss, Keith (Annette) Weiss, Mike (Cathy) Weiss, and Don Weiss; sisters Mary (Dean) Estes, Joan Weiss, and Sue (Mike) Wise.

He was preceded in death by his two wives; his parents; and two brothers Dale and Kenny Weiss. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Mondovi, WI, with Fr. Emmanuel Asamoah-Bekoe officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Military Honors will follow the service at the church.

A private interment ceremony will follow at Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC, at a later date.

Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home in Mondovi, WI is assisting the family. To express on-line condolences, visit obituaries at www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com 

Contributions to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.Parkinson.org) or the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) can be made in lieu of flowers.

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