Obituary of Gerald Arthur Whitmire

Gerald Arthur Whitmire, age 100, entered into rest in Roseville, California on September 13, 2020. Gerald was born on December 31, 1919 in Quincy, Illinois to his parents, Guy Whitmire and Florence Rimer. It was 1942 when Gerald began his military career with his enlistment in the Army Air Corps at Jefferson Barracks, Saint Louis, Missouri. While serving his country he worked all over the world. It was his duty to set up supply lines throughout Europe not only for the Air Force, but the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marines. It was during his time in England during World War II that Gerald met and married his first wife Elizabeth Hall Whitmire. He was a devoted husband to her for more than 30 years. Upon completion of training he was assigned to an aircraft mobile repair unit at Pendleton, Oregon, as an aircraft mechanic. In 1943 he participated in the preparation of B-17 and B-24 bomber type aircraft for combat. In 1945 he joined the occupation forces in Germany where he operated as Non commission officer in charge (NCOIC) of an aircraft maintenance crew in preparing aircrafts for one-time flights to the United States and Foreign governments. He was stationed at Pope Field North Carolina from 1947 until he was assigned to Japan in December 1949. Here he served as NCOIC of the 36th Airbase group Organizational Supply Account. He returned to the United States in December 1952 serving with the 514th Air Defense Squadron at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He remained there until 1955 when he returned to Germany for a four-year tour of duty as NCOIC of the Base Supply at Bitburg. In July 1959 he was assigned to the 1518th support squadron at McClellan Air Force Base. He remained with this organization until the squadron was deactivated in December 1963, at which time he was assigned to the 9th Weather Reconnaissance Group Serving until his retirement. During his career, Senior Master Sergeant Whitmire had been awarded several medals; such as Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Army of Occupation Medal for Germany, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with one Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (with gold-wreath frame), and the United Nations service Medal. After serving in the US Air Force, Gerald began working for Sears as a Craftsman Tool salesman. Where he sold and delivered tools to customers throughout Northern California. Gerald went on to become one of the top salesmen for Sears-Roebuck during his 10year career. Two of Gerald’s favorite past times were square dancing and horseback riding. He took his love of horses and volunteered his time regularly with the Folsom Lake Horse Patrol. Where he ensured the safety of the park and its visitors with his Tennessee Walker Polly. And while he was at a square dancing event, he met his second wife Alice Jensen. They went on many adventures together; including a guided tour in South Africa. Even in retirement, Gerald could not be slowed down. Gerald lived his best life every day; in the kind words he spoke and in the thoughtful choices he made. He once said, “Learn something new every day and whatever you do, do it well.” He was one the finest men of his generation. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. Gerald is survived by three children, Greg Whitmire, Sharron Branson, and Maureen Pazeky; two stepchildren; Chuck Jensen and Cynthia Wallace-Jensen; his sister, Pat Overman; eight granddaughters, and seventeen great-grandchildren. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Guy Whitmire and Florence Rimer; his first wife, Elizabeth Whitmire; his second wife, Alice Jensen; his son, David Whitmire; and his son-in-law, Ahmad Pazeky. A memorial service will be held in Gerald Whitmire’s honor at Sacramento Memorial Lawn, 6100 Stockton Blvd. Sacramento, California 95824, on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 12:00PM with Reverend Jack Lane officiating.