Gerald Killian

1921 - 2020

Gerald I. Killian

January 1, 1921 – December 22, 2020

Gerald Ignatius Killian died peacefully at his home in Lebanon, Oregon on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 with his daughter, Lorene French, son, Mitchell Killian and daughter-in-law, Trina, at his side. He was just nine days shy of his 100th birthday.

Born on the first of January in 1921 in Fosston, Minnesota, Jerry, as he was known, was the youngest of the eleven children of Thomas Killian, a native of Fermoyle, in County Longford, Ireland. Tom immigrated to Minnesota in 1892 at the age of 25. A few years later Tom married Lena Beaulieu, who died young, leaving him with two small daughters. Then he married Mary Lorene Vezina, Jerry's mother, and they had nine children together. They settled in Fosston, Minnesota to farm and raise their family.

Even as a very young child, Jerry was happiest working on the farm with his father. Most of the older siblings had gone on to live their lives, so in the fourth grade, Jerry decided to stay home to help his dad. No more school for him! Though he lacked a formal education, he had an incredible mechanical mind. He could solve any problem, create any machine part and fix anything with the combination of his mechanical insight and physical strength. It was this ability, combined with his passion for archery that led to a successful career as an entrepreneur and business owner. In the 1960's, Jerry was considered one of the best archers in the United States. He won just about every championship that he entered in his home state of Minnesota. He belonged to an elite group of outstanding archers known as The Toxophiltes. Jerry was a freestyle shooter, always using a recurve bow in tournaments. In the course of competing, he was constantly creating improvements in the sights on his own recurve bows. He realized there was a demand for these products among other competitors and hunters. Killian Chek-It, his new company, was born in response to this market demand. He successfully patented nine of his original designs for the bow and arrow. In 1971, at the World Indoor Archery Championships in Las Vegas, 97% of the contestants, including the winners, were using Killian Chek-it sights. The business continued to grow, with Jerry innovating and expanding every year until he sold it in 1977. Just this year Jerry was inducted into the Minnesota Archery Hall of Fame. He was also honored with a lifetime membership in Archery Ireland. He was a proud lifetime member of the Wapiti Bowman and the Sylvan Archers in Portland.

Jerry and his wife Midge continued to hunt elk in the Blue Mountains, southwest of La Grande, Oregon until her passing in 2005. He continued to go out for the 30 day hunt with his son, friends and nephews until just last year. The tree stands were 15 to 20 feet high. His favorite was one he built for his wife, still known as "Midge's Stand". In the last few years, he hunted from the blind on the ground for safety's sake. He always looked forward to spending that time in nature with the people he loved, doing what he loved. He harvested 39 elk during his years in the Blue Mountains and is a proud lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Jerry served as a combat infantryman and paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division, known as the "Angels" in the Asiatic- Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was awarded two Bronze Battle Stars for his heroism in the liberation of the Philippines, He clung to life in New Guinea after contracting cholera, one of the few soldiers to survive ten days trapped in a foxhole, trying to avoid capture. He could never speak of the atrocities he endured during those campaigns. He was just grateful to survive the war, and be able to come home to marry the love of his life, Mildred "Midge" Gangle on November 6, 1946. He was a life member of the 11th Airborne Division Association, designated as Angel #76, and of the American Legion. He could be found there every Saturday night enjoying dinner with his fiancée, Lavon Gabrielsen, and his fellow Legionnaires.

Jerry was predeceased by his wife, Mildred (Midge) Gangle, his sisters, Betty Killian, Virginia Howard, Marie Erickson, Agnes Theis, Geraldine Hope and Vera Schulte and his brothers, Lawrence, Elmer, Leo and Camillus Killian.

He is survived by his daughter, Lorene Killian French of Lebanon and son, Mitchell Killian (Trina) of Portland, his granddaughter, Jennifer Clark and great grandson, Ryan Gerald Hennley. He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in the US and Ireland.

Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 12th St. Edward RC Church on Main Street in Lebanon, where Jerry was a parishioner for the last 22 years. A memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. also at the church. Interment with full military honors will follow at the IOOF Cemetery.

Jerry had an imposing physical presence, always standing ramrod straight and tall, even in his last days. He was a quiet hero to so many people, beloved by family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

In Lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Rest in Peace Jerry….until we meet again. To leave an online condolence for the family go to www.hustonjost.com