Lt. Col. Jere A. Gainer

"Captain's Log"    Stardate 1142.6

Lt Col Jere A. Gainer, Dover, DE, completed his 85-year mission to explore a Class M planet in The Milky Way Galaxy.

Jere was born in Lancaster Co, PA, in 1940. He thrived in the world of academia. He graduated from Garden Spot HS Class of 1958 New Holland, PA. His interests were sports, journalism, theater, and a lovely young lady named Sharon Williams. After high school, Jere continued his education at Penn State, graduating as Valedictorian of the Class of 1962. Immediately after graduation, he married his high school sweetheart. In October, he joined the military. The motto of the Air Force is "Aim High". The three core values are Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Jere embodied this belief system and lived his life in accordance. His USAF career would take his family to TX and CA. Then, he honored his country by valiantly serving in Vietnam. Upon his return, his growing family moved to MA, AL, DE, and NJ. He was a navigator, instructor, and an acquisition contractor. He traveled the world and all 50 states. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. After his retirement from active duty, he pursued a career teaching AFJROTC at Cherry Hill West and Washington Township high schools in NJ. Lt Col Gainer was well respected and beloved by his cadets. In his retirement years, he and Sherry settled down in Felton, DE. He had a lifelong love of Star Trek, westerns, military movies, chess, model trains, and community theater.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry, daughter, Tammy, and one stepdaughter, Anne Marie. Six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Jere was predeceased by two sons, Wayne and Scott.

His Celebration of Life will be on 7 Mar 26 at 11am. Southside Baptist Church. 4904 S. Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901. At this time, we will also remember the life of his recently passed son, Wayne.

Please bring your stories and "Gainerisms". Lite luncheon to follow.

Full Military Honors service will be on 10 Mar 26. at 2pm. Delaware Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Rd. Bear, DE 19701.

Both services are open to family, friends, and alumni.

Officiating the services will be Pastor Chris Kondracki.

If you would like to honor his memory with a financial gift, please consider The Wounded Warrior Project or an organization that supports our treasured veterans.

After his promotion to Admiral in the Federation Starfleet, Pippin Funeral Homes of Wyoming, DE, reverently assisted in his transfer to boldly go to his new galactic Starbase.

"Death is that state in which one exists only in the memory of others, which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes. Just Good memories. Hailing frequencies closed, Sir."

Tasha Yar (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

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