Duerr, Lt. Col. Gerald F. "Jerry" (Cleveland)

Lt. Col. Gerald F. Duerr, USAF retired, “Jerry”, entered eternal life on September 26, 2020 at 12:32 p.m. at the age of 76. The son of Charles S. and Miriam G. Duerr of Morrisville, Pa., Jerry was born on May 2, 1944 in Trenton, NJ. 

Jerry was the third of six children: Lawrence Duerr of Fairless Hills, Pa.; Bruce Duerr of Turnersville, NJ; Timothy Duerr of Newton, Pa.; Barbara Duerr Mizenko of Newtown, Pa.; and Steven Duerr of Ewing, NJ. 

Jerry graduated from Pennsbury High School, Fairless Hills, Pa. in 1962; The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina in 1966; and Oklahoma State University in 1976. 

After graduation from The Citadel, Jerry entered the Air Force and retired in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1988 after serving his country for 21 years. Jerry’s post-Air Force career included teaching history at Lee University and Cleveland State Community College and being director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy at Cleveland State Community College. He was the director of security at Bradley Memorial Hospital in Cleveland, and subsequently at Capital Health Hospital System in Trenton, NJ. 

Jerry married Angela Fellin on Jan. 21, 1967, in Morrisville, Pa. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Angela, and loving daughter, Avianna, who reside in Cleveland. A son, Charles “Chuckie” Duerr, preceded Jerry in death in November 1979. His sister—in-law, Cindy Parris and brother-in-law, Randy Parris, filled a special place in his heart. 

Jerry enjoyed playing and watching sports - especially The Citadel’s football and wrestling teams. He also enjoyed camping, visiting family in Pennsylvania, friends in Charleston, SC and Citadel ’66 G Company classmates. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409-6230 or Warren B. Keyser Scholarship Fund Boys and Girls Club 385 Third St., Cleveland, Tn. 37311. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.