Gerald Arthur DeForest

Gerald Arthur DeForest, 79, passed away from Parkinson's disease on January 19, 2024. Jerry was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1944 in the small town of Emporia, VA. He had a sister, eleven months older and a sister, thirteen months younger and a devoted, loving Christian mother. Jerry was raised as a Baptist.

Jerry started working on his grandfather's farm at a very early age. At twelve, he was driving a tractor and plowing the fields, planting, and harvesting peanuts and tobacco sunrise to sunset. He learned to shoot a rifle, hunt, and fish and how to navigate in the woods-skills that he would later need for survival. Growing up, a small tan dog named “Peanut” was his best friend. In the mornings before going to high school he delivered milk to help support his family. Jerry decided he was not going to be a farmer or stay in Emporia and be poor all of his life.

In 1964, at the age of twenty, he joined the Marine Corps. 6'2", extremely strong and physically fit, he became a Paratrooper (he loved jumping out of planes) and a very active Combat Marine in Vietnam. By the age of twenty-three he had PTSD and horrific memories of war from which there was no escape. His discharge from the Marine Corps in 1970 was Honorable. Semper Fidelis 2nd Anglico.

Ambitious, intelligent, organized, hard-working and willing to take risks, Jerry became a successful Commercial Contractor owning his own construction company and estimating and bidding jobs for the government for twenty-five years. It was a roller coaster ride but he always considered himself to be "a lucky boy." For one job, he designed and built a Coffer Dam at Fort Monroe in Hampton, VA to repair a bridge when the Army Corps of Engineers and others could not. He could be a hard man, "his way or the highway" but he was honest and just, and stood up for what he believed. He retired from contracting to become a landlord. Unlike some other "businessmen" he was proud he could say, "I never had to cheat or steal from anyone for any reason." And he always provided very well for his family.

For fun he loved racing his Corvette and Harley-Davidson and BMW motorcycles. The faster the better. He was an excellent mechanic and enjoyed working on motors. He also loved shooting his rifles in competitions and was one of the best. Having boats and being on the water and fishing were also hobbies he enjoyed. He liked music, including songs by Jewel, Judy Collins, and Richard Cohen who were some of his favorites.

A special "thank you" to our neighbors and to the York-Poquoson Police Dept. for their kindness, understanding, and patience during this past year.

Jerry is survived by his loving family: his wife, Ann S. DeForest, his daughter Kerry A. Champion and her best friend Tiffany Sink who is like a daughter, his son, Gerald Alexander "Alex" DeForest, four grandchildren and one sister, Patricia D. Bowles. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Yvonne Cherie DeForest, his newborn son, Eric Arthur DeForest, his mother, Marguerite Ferguson DeForest, his father, Harold Arthur DeForest and his sister, Joyce DeForest Boyce.

Nelsen Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Burial will be at Quantico Memorial Cemetery in Triangle, VA. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Parkinson's Foundation or your favorite charity.

Jerry's fascinating true stories are being written into a screenplay. Rest in peace my handsome Marine. The text below appeared in a 1966 newspaper article: “Emporia GI Used His Head, DA NANG, Viet Nam – Marine Pfc. Gary A. DeForest of Emporia, Va., was quietly poking into one of several hundred caves near Quang Ngai recently when he saw five Viet Cong. DeForest opened fire with his rifle. A grenade flew out of the cave. Clank! The grenade hit DeForest’s helmet – and bounced back into the cave. ‘I waited for the explosion’, he said, ‘then I went back into the cave.’ He found all five Viet Cong dead.”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.