LTC Gerald "Jerry" Joseph Meyer, (US Army Ret), 86, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 27th , 2019 in Maryville, Illinois. He was born on April 15, 1932 in Fairview, Kansas the youngest of nine children to John Henry and Magdalen Margaret (Waller) Meyer.

Jerry graduated in 1954 from Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture education and then earned his master's later in 1974 in public business administration from University of Missouri Kansas City. He taught for a year after graduation before he entered the Army in 1955 as a second lieutenant in artillery. He continued to serve his country valiantly, serving in both the Vietnam and Korean War.

During his years of service he was stationed in Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Germany, New York, Hawaii and Kansas. He received 15 decorations, awards and service medals culminating with the Legion of Merit in 1976. The final four years of his military career were serving on the US Army Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth Kansas until retiring in 1976.

After 21 years of military service, he began a second career in real estate relocating to Shawnee, KS where he co-owned a Century 21 Real Estate franchise as a Broker with his wife Jeanne until 1998 when he sold his company. Continuing to manage rental properties until his official retirement from real estate in 2017.

Jerry was also a active member over the years within the Johnson County and Shawnee, KS community. He served as President of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Club, Shawnee Economic Development Council, Kansas City Metro Broker Council, Johnson County Board of Realtors, Director of the County Economic Research Institute, Board of Directors for the Civil Service Commission for the Shawnee Police Department, Johnson County Election Board, Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, American Legion, VFW, and the Serra Club.

Jerry is survived by his son, Gerald J. and Jamie Meyer of Topeka, Kansas, and daughters, Joan M Meyer and Chris Brewer of Caseyville, Illinois, Janice Meyer Priddy of Shawnee, Kansas; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 59 years, Eugenia Marie (Braun) Meyer; and siblings Leo Meyer, Clarissa Olson, John Paul Meyer, Francis Robert Meyer, Mary Elizabeth Brenner, Raymond Meyer, Rose Mary Miller and Sylvia Ross.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Shawnee, KS on Friday February 8, 2019 at 10 am with a Memorial Mass immediately following at 11. Inurnment will follow after Mass on Friday, February 8, 2019 at 1:30 pm at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Jerry's name to Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus or Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 12800 W. 75th St. Shawnee, KS 66216.