Col. Jerrie C. Wells

Jerrie C. Wells, Colonel, US Air Force (Retired), passed away on Friday, January 28, 2011, with his beloved family by his side. He was known as Jerrie or Cebern, depending upon when and where you met him. Cebern was born on June 23, 1924, in Centerville, Texas, to Burtis Joseph and Hayes Gott Wells. His parents and brother, Maxie Wayne Wells, preceded him in death.

Jerrie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lillian Ann Wells, formerly of Montgomery, Alabama, and their daughters: Sarah and her husband Steven Fekete and Margaret and her husband Richard Patke. His cherished grandchildren, Haley Patke, Stuart Patke and Alex Fekete, also survive him.

Col. Wells began his military career on April 1943 at the height of WW II. He completed bombardier training and served on board a B-26 Martin Marauder crew assigned to the 320th Bomb Group, 442nd Bomb Squadron at Bastia, Corsica. He flew 32 combat missions in WWII and was then released from active duty in November 1945.

Col. Wells, like so many of The Greatest Generation, took advantage of the opportunities offered by the GI Bill and entered Texas A&M College in February 1946. He graduated with a BS in agriculture education in January 1949. He was recalled to active duty in September 1949 after a short stint as a vocational agriculture teacher in Bonham, Texas. Upon his return to the Air Force, Col. Wells served as a navigator for a year. He was finally given the opportunity to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot and graduated from pilot training on June 21, 1952. This service to his country as a bombardier, navigator and pilot is quite rare and demonstrates his intelligence and determination.

Col. Wells logged over 8000 hours of flight time, primarily in B-47’s, but he also flew various other aircraft during his career. Memorable moments in his career include his involvement in the Bay of Pigs. Ann knew only that he was “on a secret mission.” He served as commander of the undergraduate pilot training squadron in Selma, Alabama at Craig AFB from 1966 – 1967. He was stationed in Korea from 1968 – 1969 and then at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, where he commanded the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (popularly known as “Hurricane Hunters”) from 1969 – 1970. Col. Wells retired from active duty after serving as deputy base commander at Dover AFB from 1971 to 1975.

Upon his retirement, Col. Wells and his family moved to Bryan, Texas, where he reenrolled at Texas A&M University. He received his MS in educational administration in 1976 and his PhD in 1980, thus fulfilling another lifelong dream. Dr. Wells worked for Bryan ISD until his second retirement in 1990.

Mr./Col./Dr. Wells enjoyed working with his hands and the satisfaction of a job well done. He loved spending time with his family, especially on his ranch in Leon County (The Latifundium.) He came from very humble beginnings and, through untold sacrifice and hard work, made sure that his family never experienced the deprivation and heartache that he felt as a young boy.

A burial service with full military honors is scheduled for 13:00 hours, Friday, February 4, 2011, at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio. In addition, a memorial service will be held Saturday, February 5, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. at New Salem Cemetery Chapel in Centerville. This country cemetery, with Daddy’s oak trees securing the outer perimeter, is an enduring testimony to his love of the land and faith in the future. Daddy planted more than 500 trees in Leon County, who knows how many he planted all across our country while he was in the Air Force? Just two months before his death, he collected a cupful of Austin acorns to plant in Bryan.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of the following organizations: Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (www.calfarley.com or 800-687-3722) or the National Kidney Foundation. Or, plant a tree.