Gerald F. McDonnell

Gerald "Jerry" F. McDonnell, 75, passed away on September 21, 2011, following a lengthy illness. Born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 20, 1936, he was the son of the late Edward McDonnell and Gertrude Eason. He graduated from the University of Southern California, Santa Barbara after having earned a basketball scholarship. He served in the United States Army, worked for Standard Brands and then went into business on his own. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Carolyn; and his three sons, Tyler, Brennan and Chase. Besides his parents he is survived by sisters, Marilyn, Gertrude and Charlotte; brothers, Joseph and Thomas; and longtime friend, Cason Barco; and a host of friends. Beginning in 1960 Jerry developed and created new products for the produce industry including the Catalytic Generators that produce ethylene gas to safely trigger the ripening of bananas, tomatoes, avocados, citric, honeydews, and other climacteric fruit. He developed many contacts with growers and buyers throughout the produce industry at this time. Jerry was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Military Produce Group LLC in Norfolk, VA. He was president of Hampton Roads Produce Co. in Norfolk. He was the President of Mid-South Produce Co., Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama, President of Sea Island Produce Co., Inc. in Savannah, Georgia and President of Norfolk Banana and Produce Co., Inc. in Norfolk, Virginia, serving the military since 1970. Numbered among Jerry's many philanthropic and charitable pursuits were; The Children's Hospital of King's Daughters, St. Jude's, The Strelitz Diabetes Center, Physicians for Peace, Operation Smile, Grommet Island Park, Horizon Hampton Roads, Junior Achievement, Nexus Program, I Need a Lighthouse, and most recently the Seal Memorial Service. A private funeral was held on Saturday, September, 24, 2011. The burial followed at Princess Anne Memorial Park with Fr. Jim Parke officiating. A memorial gathering will take place at the Cellars, 4001 Church Point Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23455 on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. We sincerely apologize, that due to an oversight, this obituary did not appear prior to the private service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to any of the charities listed above. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.