Gerald (Jerry) Brown, 93 of Sac City, IA, died peacefully at Park View Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, March 29, 2026. His wife, Helen and his beloved daughter, Julie were at his side.
Jerry was born June 25, 1932, the son of William (Bill) and Jessie (Pyle) Brown. He graduated from Schaller High School in 1950. He then attended AIB in Des Moines before enlisting in the U. S. Navy in 1951. After boot camp in San Diego, Jerry was assigned to Anacostia Naval Air Station and later to Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He served as an Aviation Electrician Mate 2nd Class with Heavy Attack Composite Squadron VC-7. Jerry’s dedication to excellence and quick thinking were greatly appreciated by his captain. Jerry served in Port Lyautey, French Morocco and onboard the USS Midway and USS Lake Champlain. He worked hard to keep the AJ-2s, the Navy’s first atomic bomber in good working order. In later years, Jerry enjoyed the VC-7 reunions sharing photos and memories with his squadron mates. Jerry was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1955. He enrolled at Buena Vista College and earned his B.S. degree with a double major in math and physics.
Jerry married Barbara Ford in 1958. After working as a service foreman for Northwestern Bell, Jerry was employed by Fort Dodge Laboratories as the Plant Engineer. During his time there he supervised several departments and designed laboratory equipment and laboratory facilities for the business. He was proud of the safety and quality controls established under his leadership. He later shared his design knowledge at seminars sponsored by the University of Wisconsin.
Jerry was a loving father to his daughter, Julie. He delighted in watching her grow up and encouraged her to live her dreams.
In 1997, Jerry married Helen Schlichting. They met at a singles dance and Jerry, who taught ballroom dancing for 15 years, proceeded to teach his most difficult student. They enjoyed dancing together in Iowa and in Texas. Jerry and Helen loved to travel. They wintered in Texas from 1998 through 2025 making lifelong friends. Jerry loved fishing and was able to fish for salmon on the Kenai River in Alaska 15 summers. Wonderful friendships developed there as well. With family, Jerry and Helen made two trips to Europe together. He especially enjoyed Germany and Italy. During his spare time, Jerry enjoyed fixing up fishing rods and reels which were then donated to programs for children such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, County Extension and East Sac Schools.
Jerry was a man of faith, a member of United Methodist Church and later Unity Church. He loved golfing, his morning coffee group, travel, books and family. His sense of humor and his wonderful smile will never be forgotten.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Helen, daughter, Julie and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Jessie, brothers, Lyle and Virgil and his sister, Shirley.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorials may be directed to Unity Church or the Loring Hospital Foundation.
