Gerald Roger Shorter

Gerald Roger Shorter was born in Red Wing Minnesota on August 18, 1946 To

Fritz and Wava Shorter. Gerald whom most called Jerry, grew up in Minnesota and

Attended Mabel High School in Minnesota. During high school Jerry played baseball

And was the leading hitter with a 389 average with 13 stolen bases. Throughout

high school, he was also a proud member of the Mabel High golf team and moved on to

play in the Regional Golf Championship in Rochester Minnesota in June of 1964.

Jerry attended Winona State University and received a B.A. in Business administration in June of 1968. While attending WSU, Jerry was a member of the golf team during all four years. During his time at WSU Jerry became a member of the TAU KAPPA EPSILON Fraternity his junior and senior years. Throughout Jerry's college years, he always managed to stay focused and loved a challenge. Jerry had never really bowled much in his life but decided to try out for the WSU bowling team. He worked hard and became the captain of his team and helped bring his team to a championship victory and Jerry became the #1 bowler on the team.

In August of 1968, Jerry enlisted into the United States Navy. On December 23rd

1968 Jerry headed off to Boot Camp. Just after finishing boot camp he was lucky enough

to be chosen to qualify for Disbursing Clerk (DK) School. Upon graduating DK School,

he received his orders to report to the USS Chicago on July 1st 1969. Soon after reporting to the USS Chicago, he was deployed to Vietnam ( Gulf Of Tonkin) for approximately 8 months. The USS Chicago returned to San Diego to resupply and shortly after their return, he headed back to Vietnam for the second time for another several months. Jerry spent the following two years at the Navy Finance Center in Groton, CT. During his time in the Navy Finance Center Jerry advanced fairly quickly and became a Lead Technician Supervisor or E-6. Jerry continued on as lead supervisor for

another year until his four years in the Navy had come to an end.

After leaving the Navy for a short period of time he looked for other employment opportunities and decided he would reenlist in the Navy. Jerry served in the Navy for an additional two years and was assigned to the USS Ogden. While serving on the USS Ogden, he headed back to Vietnam for a third time. After his 8 month deployment to Vietnam he returned to San Diego. Jerry did one last deployment to Vietnam and traveled through a horrible Typhoon where he watched many crew members become very sick. During his deployment he received a message that he was receiving an advancement to DK-1. He again separated from active duty Navy on March 4, 1975.

Upon being selected as a Disbursing Specialist/ Military Pay Expert, he worked in downtown San Diego overlooking the beautiful San Diego Bay. Jerry continued in his Career for over 30 years. During his lengthy 30 year career, he traveled extensively while working for the Navy Department to Hawaii, Japan, Taiwan, Guam, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, Diego Garcia, Okinawa, and all over the United States. Jerry reached Officer status in Civil Service in 1985.

In 1988 Jerry met a beautiful, Blue Eyed woman named Joan. Not too long after they met, they fell in love and married October, 14th 1989. Joan had 3 children Bobby, Gary and Shari and Jerry welcomed Joan’s children into his life and made them part of his life as he had never had any children of his own. Jerry and Joan created a beautiful life together and traveled the world creating memories to last a life time. Jerry always made sure family came first. Jerry was a man of very few words, however his feeling ran deep.

His passion for life and success never wavered. Joan AKA “Blue Eyes” was the love of his life and he would go to the ends of the earth for her. Several years ago, Jerry was diagnosed with cancer and beat it. A few years after beating his first bout of cancer, he would be diagnosed again with a different cancer only this cancer was much more aggressive. He fought this battle as a sailor would and beat stage 4 cancer

It once again. Unfortunately the medications he was on deteriorated his brain and dementia started to set in. This disease started to take over and eventually Alzheimer’s set in. No matter how difficult this disease was on him as his memories of current times started to fade. The memories that never left him till the day he died, was the unconditional love for Joanie, his beautiful, blue eyed bride and his absolute pride in his

lengthy Navy career. There was no other worldly possession that mattered more to him then his Naval Service Awards that he carried around the house daily until just days before he passed away. He was so incredibly proud of his country and being a Senior Chief and serving his country for nearly 30 years.

Jerry will be greatly missed. Gerald Roger Shorter is survived by his Wife Joan Louise Shorter, His Step Children Robert Wayne Squibb (wife Hiedi Squibb), Gary Lee Squibb (Wife Heather Squibb), Shari Diane Hurley (Husband Jim Hurley), His loving grand children Garrett Wayne Squibb, Cameron Rae Squibb, Carson Lee Squibb and Kelsey Len Hurley and many more family members and friends.

While he will be forever missed here on earth, we know that he is now in the loving

arms of Jesus. Until we meet again in Heaven, may he rest in eternal peace.