Born in Sidney, New York on Monday, the 14th of July in 1952 to Madine and Albert Dewey, Jerry was also welcomed earthside by his two big brothers, Delzon “Del” Hodges and Albert “Joe” Dewey Jr. He spent his childhood and adolescence with his family and friends, working on cars, wrestling, and playing his guitar.
After graduating high school and spending a semester at Broome Tech in Binghamton, New York, he realized that he wasn’t quite ready for college and decided in 1971 to enlist in the United States Army. After basic training at Ft. Dix and Ft. Sill, Jerry spent a few days back at home in Sidney before he shipped out overseas. At his high school alma mater’s fall festival, he met Marla Loudon and the course of his life was forever altered. While serving overseas in Germany, they continued their long-distance relationship. After nearly three years of service, Jerry found the clarity he wanted and headed to SUNY College at Brockport in upstate New York for his BS and MA degrees in Experimental Psychology.
In 1979, Jerry and Marla united in marriage and headed west soon afterward for Jerry to pursue his Doctorate of Psychology in Cognitive Science at the University of Illinois. While working towards becoming Dr. Dewey, he added over a dozen published works to his ever growing and prolific resume. They welcomed their first daughter, Maris, into the world in 1984. Within a year, Jerry was given a position with the Army Research Institute as Senior Research Psychologist at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The family settled in Columbus and then in 1986, welcomed their second daughter, Jaima.
Missing their extended family, the Deweys moved to upstate New York in 1989. During their time in New York, Jerry started his own computer business, Dewey Data Systems, specializing in military training and computer applications.
Deciding to pivot and missing the warmth and sunshine of the south, in 1991 Jerry was hired by the Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, later renamed the Department of Homeland Security, and the family moved back to Columbus.
Jerry spent the reminder of his professional career with the government in various locations including Washington D.C. and Saudi Arabia and worked in a number of various positions within the Department of Homeland Security including: Director of Passenger Targeting, Director Data Management in the National Targeting Center, DHS Liaison Officer to POM-MOI in Saudi Arabia and Director of Advanced Analytics. In 2019, Jerry finally decided to officially retire. He and Marla moved back to Columbus once again to be close to family, especially their ever-growing number of grandkids. He spent his days with both his binoculars and camera in hand, always watching for new birds to add to his lifer bird list. Crossword puzzles, old westerns, black jack cherry ice cream, and evening Jeopardy were a few more of his favorite things in retirement. When he wasn’t birding around Columbus, Jerry was with his beloved cruising all over the world and still birding.
Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Madine Eudora Dewey; his father, Albert Dewey; and his brother, Albert Dewey Jr.
He leaves his wife of 45 years and best friend, Marla Dewey; his brother, Del (Lynn) Hodges; and his daughters, Maris (Kendall) Walls and Jaima (Chris) Adams. His legacy of love continues on through his ten precious grandchildren, Loudon David (13), Alden Abraham (11), Prudence Hosanna (10), Delanore Ann (9), Clementine Beatrice (8), Christopher William (7), Frances Ophelia (5), Mabel Avonlea (4), Ruth Irving (2), and Margaret James (6 months). Additionally, he leaves his brothers-in-law, Chris (Teresa) Loudon, Steve (Linda) Loudon, and Craig Loudon, as well as all the other NGL’s who shared his love of and affection for the entire Loudon clan.
A Visitation for Family and Friends will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 4-6pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A Funeral Service will also be at Striffler-Hamby on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 11am. Burial will follow in Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, 553 AL at 12:30pm at Ft. Mitchell, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in honor of Jerry’s great love of birds at http://tiny.cc/memoryofJerry. Thank you so much.
