Gerald Brayton

Jerry Brayton, 91, died April 7. He was born in Renwick, Iowa, August 7, 1930, the third of five sons born to Fay Miller Brayton and Esther Rummens Brayton. Raised in Hardy, a smaller town near Renwick, Jerry graduated from Renwick High School in 1948 and joined the US Navy the next day.

After finishing boot camp, where he was put into leadership positions, he began his career as an aircraft mechanic on propeller planes. Rising rapidly through the ranks because of his quiet leadership skills, he was one of the youngest Warrant Officers in the Navy. When that rating was discontinued, he was sent to Officer Training and rose to the rank of Lt. Commander.

A longtime resident of Clay County, Florida, Jerry was known for his volunteer work with United Methodist churches at the local, district, and conference levels and for working on behalf of ex-offenders. He was also involved in Kairos prison ministry in Florida and later in Texas, where he served on the Kairos of Texas Board of Directors.

Soon after moving to the Western Slope in 2009, Jerry began volunteering at the local food bank and served until health issues made it impossible.

A member of First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction, Jerry was honored a few years ago as the church’s Quiet Disciple. He was active in men’s groups, the Walk to Emmaus community, and faithfully attended worship.

Jerry was a family man and took pleasure in being with his family, whether it was immediate family or the many nieces and nephews in Dubuque, Iowa.

He enjoyed being Pop, Dad, Pop-Pop, Uncle Jerry, Mr. Jerry, and Granddad to many throughout his 91 years, gladly filling each role when called on.

He is survived by his wife Glenna Kyker of the home address; daughter Linda (Randy) Lincoln of Tennessee, son Jeff (Shawn) Brayton of Florida, grandson Tim Heist of Oregon, stepdaughters Krystyn (Bob) Hartman of Grand Junction and Karyn (SSGT William, USMC Ret.) Houser of Portland, Tennessee.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irma Brayton, and granddaughter Jill Newman of Clarksville, TN.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Cross Newman of Clarksville; TSGT Harley (Tiffanie)Houser, USAF, and Ari of Cheyenne, WY; Nathan and Jessy McKinley and Peyton and Bryn of Grand Junction; SSGT Jaymes (Gabi) Seals and Rebecca and David of Willow Park, TX; CPL Chris Seals of Illinois; and Midshipman Melody Huting of Boston, MA.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be Thursday morning at 10:00 at First United Methodist Church at Fifth and White in downtown Grand Junction. Jerry’s ashes will be interred alongside Irma casket in Middleburg, FL.  The service may be viewed by connecting online to www.fumcgj.org/worship and clicking on the Live Stream button.

Please consider making a memorial contribution in Jerry’s name to McCurdy Ministries in Espanola, NM, where he loved to be in mission and ministry (mccurdy.org).