Lt Col Gerald Biddle Warton

Lt Col Gerald Biddle Warton (USAF Retired), age 84, passed away Wed, August 7, 2013 in Bend, Oregon. Gerald (Gerry) was born April 19, 1929 in Chicago, IL to George B. and Dorcas A. Warton. Gerry graduated from William Howard Taft H.S., Norwood Park, IL in 1947 and then attended Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL later transferring to and graduating from McKendree College, Lebanon, IL in 1951. Thereafter, he served in the United States Air Force for two years as an Airman, completed Officer Candidate School in 1953 and commissioned a second lieutenant. After 24 years of honorable service including the Korean Conflict, Vietnam War and various duty stations around the world, he retired in 1975 to Burns, OR. Gerry married Patricia Louise (Moser) Flathers May 25,1980 in Burns, OR. Together they traveled across the nation and lived in Las Vegas, NV; Mesquite, NV; Albany, OR; Redmond, OR; Meridian, ID; and recently Bend, OR where Gerry passed away. Growing up loving horses, Gerry enjoyed anything connected to ranching. Spending time with family, a game of golf, and antiquing were passions along with his family genealogy project. He was an active member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, Red River Valley Association River Rats, and a 4-H leader for many years. He was known for his hearty laugh, quick wit, and approached any new project with gusto, as he did with his beer making friends. He is survived by Patty his wife of 33 years, his sister, Georgia Lee Olson (Evan) of Prospect Heights, IL and five children: George Warton (Julia), Lauri Askew (John), Robert Warton (Gwen), Robert (Butch) Flathers, and Sherri Young (Gary). He was blessed with thirteen grandchildren: Matt (Jessica), John, and Greg Warton; Nathan Peterson; Davis, Riddick, Rowan, and Ryker Warton; Erin, Courtney, Kelsey, and Zach Flathers; and Brittany Boyer (Dustin); two great-grandchildren: Jack and Isabella Warton; and many other loving nieces, nephews and relatives. A Celebration of Gerrys life and Christian faith will be held at Aspen Ridge Retirement Center Great Room in Bend, Oregon on Aug 17, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Military burial with honors will be Oct 7, 2013 at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS. Memorial donations may be made to the Holston United Methodist Home for Children, P.O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Lt Col Gerald Biddle Warton

April 19, 1929 - August 7, 2013