CMSgt Gerald "Jerry" Paul Slocum, U.S.A.F., Ret.

     Jerry passed away May 14, 2023, following a tough fight with cancer.  

     After high school, he worked the summer on the railroad and in Dec 1968, joined the Air Force.  His first assignment was in Virginia as a Loadmaster on the C-130 where he stayed for a couple of years. He then served in Vietnam from Sep 71 to Dec 72 and in Jan 73 was assigned to Dover Air Force Base as a C-5 Loadmaster where he served the rest of his career, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant in Sep 1991.

     In May 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Pamela, and they had three children who were raised in and still live in Delaware.

     During his career he held many different duties while always maintaining his Loadmaster expertise. In 1977, he was on the crew that received the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year for a non-stop flight from Chicago to Moscow, Russia.  Also, that year, he was selected as Dover Air Force Base NCO of the Year. Later in his career, he was assigned as the Wing Chief, Enlisted Aircrew Training.  And his final duty was as the Chief of the 9th MAS Loadmaster section. He received many decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross 3 times, the Meritorious Service Medal, 6 Air Medals, and 3 Commendation Medals to name a few. Additionally, during his off-duty time he earned an Associates Degree and a Bachelor' of Science Degree.

     After the service, he worked 7 years in the Environmental Consulting business and an additional 7 years doing a job he enjoyed, selling cars.  Those jobs didn’t measure up to his military service and in 2006 he retired to live in Barclay Farms in Camden, DE.  He did try a part time job testing fire alarms for a Security Service Company, but fully retired in 2012.

     Jerry was predeceased by his parents Melvin and Maxine and his brother-in-law Bob. He is survived by his brother Gordon and wife Beth, sister Carol, wife of 54 years Pamela, his sons Stacy and Jeffrey (Stacy), his daughter Christina (Eric), and grandson Bryce.

     Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, DE 19934 with visitation from 10AM – 11AM Wednesday. Interment with military honors will be at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, DE at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Delaware Hospice at 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

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