Jerry Oberhelman

**Colonel Jerry D. Oberhelman**
March 22, 1931 – February 26, 2026

Colonel Jerry D. Oberhelman, 94, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, in Ladera Ranch, California. A devoted husband, respected leader, and highly decorated Air Force officer, Jerry lived a life defined by service and determination.

Born March 22, 1931, in Riley, Kansas, Jerry graduated from St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kansas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and his second lieutenant commission through AFROTC from the University of Kansas in May 1953.

Jerry began active duty service in the United States Air Force that year, earning his pilot wings in T-33 jets in 1954. His distinguished 20+ year career included serving as a flight instructor, base civil engineer in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, nuclear-qualified B-52 command pilot at Altus AFB, construction commander for Atlas/Minuteman missile sites, and project engineer for NASA’s Vertical Assembly Building. During the Vietnam War (1965-1967), he flew over 300 combat sorties in C-130s across Okinawa, Taiwan, and Vietnam, amassing 5,000+ flight hours as a command pilot.

In his later reserve career as an Air Reserve Technician with the 442nd Tactical Airlift Wing, Jerry served as squadron commander, vice/base wing commander, environmental engineer, and special assistant. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1974 and Colonel in 1978, he declined a reserve general's position to remain near family.

Jerry's greatest joy was marrying the love of his life, Joy, in 1979. Together they shared decades of devotion, adventure, and warmth at Travis and Mather AFBs in California. His passion was to fly from time to time and play tennis, relishing competitive matches at local clubs well into his 80s. Jerry's big goal was to compete in the 90-and-older division at the Sacramento Senior Tennis Championships—training diligently until heart surgery paused his pursuit.

Jerry's courage, warmth, and leadership left an indelible mark. He will be deeply missed by Joy and all whose lives he enriched. Colonel Oberhelman will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors—details to follow.