Jerry Twaddell

Lt. Col. Jerry W. Twaddell, (ret.) 73, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at Jackson Manor.

He was born March 10, 1940, in Fordyce, Ark., to Clinton O. and Georgia Moseley Twaddell.

He was the salutatorian of his high school graduating class in 1958.

He and Mary Jane Lumsden were married Aug. 18, 1962, at Essex, Mo.

He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1963 with a degree in political science. He was then commissioned into the United States Air Force as a second lieutenant. He completed pilot training in 1964 and went on to teach other Air Force pilots. He served two tours in Vietnam as a fighter pilot. After returning to the states, Jerry continued to train other pilots. In 1974, he received a master's degree in education from Pepperdine University. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1985 at the age of 45. He spent the next several years as a skilled artisan.

He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Twaddell of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Heather (Scott) Powers of Grand Rapids, Mich.; a son, Clinton L. (Kristina) Twaddell of Bloomfield, Mo.; and six grandchildren, Elizabeth and Kasity Twaddell of Bloomfield, and Laurel, Nicholas, Erin and Brian Powers of Grand Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

The funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ron Watts officiating.

Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with Brad Aycock officiating. Full military honors will be conducted at the cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri or the Salvation Army.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.