Jerry Thomason

SgtMaj Jerry “JT” Thomason was born in Waverly Hall, Georgia, on May 27, 1949 to the late Benjamin Edison Thomason and Eva Kate Thomason (Birt). He graduated from Carver High School in Hamilton, Georgia, in 1967 and in September of that year he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. At such a young age, it never occurred to him, nor did he ever know or imagine that the Marine Corps would be his way of life for the next thirty years.

From March 1968-March 1969 he was assigned to the Seventh Marine Regiment (RVN) – Republic of Vietnam. After completing Marine Corps Security Guard School (MSG) in late 1969, he was assigned to MSG Rawalpindi in Pakistan, and a year later reassigned to MSG Nairobi in Kenya. It was while working there that he met his future wife Patricia Esther Rusteau, who worked at PanAm Airlines at the time. Their courtship led to their wedding ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 4, 1972, and later that month they received Permanent Change of Station Orders back to the United States, specifically Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. This is where their life as a military family began. They were also stationed in Connecticut before receiving the orders that would bring them to California.

Some highlights of JT’s military career included 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division and 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division; four years of recruiting duty; Operation Desert Shield; Operation Desert Storm; and serving as the Headquarters Sergeant Major at Camp Pendleton until his retirement in 1997. Along this incredible drive of duty stations, JT and Patricia welcomed three children: Tiffany, Winston, and Kimberly. After his retirement from the USMC, JT was employed at Army and Navy Academy and later at St. Malo Beach, where he would continue to work for the next twenty years.

JT was a huge fan of all the Atlanta teams: Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Bulldogs. His support was unwavering, no matter how the season went. He thoroughly enjoyed planting and tending to his garden, landscaping, and spending as much time as he possibly could spoiling his grandchildren.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”- Matthew 5:8 (KJV). This Scripture is a description of Jerry “JT” Thomason. There will never be another man like JT. He was one of one! He was the embodiment of positivity, wit, a sense of humor, a sense of duty, and a generous spirit. His absence is deeply felt by many who loved him dearly. JT was preceded in death by his wife Patricia. He is survived by his children Tiffany (Aaron), Winston, and Kimberly; grandchildren AJ, Sophia, Victoria, and Aniyah; grandpets Trexi and Levi; brother Sam Kenny Thomason of Waverly Hall, Georgia, and a host of relatives and friends.