Jerome Gudvangen

1940 - 2020

Jerome Gudvangen

On January 27, 2020, Jerome Gudvangen, loving husband, father of three, grandfather and great-grandfather, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 80. Jerome was born on January 5, 1940 In Powers Lake, ND, to Ernest and Minnie Gudvangen. He married the love of his life, Carol Jane Roberts on June 05, 1960. They raised two daughters, Juli and Joni and one son, Wade. Jerome was a talented athlete and was named one of the top 10 basketball players in the state during his senior year in High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Math with a minor in Business Administration from Dickinson State College in 1963. He later earned a master's degree in political science from Troy State University and a degree in Construction Management from the University of West Florida. He joined the Air Force May 10, 1963. His first assignment was as a Missile Launch Office in Okinawa. Upon returning stateside in 1967, he attended flight training and was assigned to B-52 Strategic Bombers for 2 years 4 months. He served a 6-month ARC Light tour of duty in 1970. He was then assigned to helicopter school and was assigned to the Huey UH1N where he performed missile site support in 1971 and 1972. Late in 1972 he trained in Utah for a new assignment in HH53 Helicopters and went to SE Asia where he served in the famed 21st Special Operations Squadron. His final 10 years in service were spent with the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field Florida. He was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with one Silver and one Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Two Silver and One Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal. Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbon. Upon retiring after 23 years in the Air Force, he let no grass grow under his feet and began working with Lockridge & Associates in Construction Management. He traveled to Turkmenistan, Russia, China, Korea and England during this time He enjoyed playing guitar and mandolin, blue grass festivals, visiting family, car swapping and physical labor. He never met a stranger and was well known for his quick sense of humor, smile and conversational endurance. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest and mother, Minnie. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his daughters Juli Adcock and Joni Roberts, his son Wade, grandchildren, Phillip, Cassie, Olivia, Marshall and Carl, great-grandchildren, Jaydn, Leia, Lilly, Carly, Ella, Viktor and Bear, his brother Elton (Rose), along with cousins and nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Monday from 11AM until service at Reed's Chapel in Lexington. He will be interred in the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads, TN.