CW3 Gerald Frank "Chief" Cislon

Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gerald Frank Cislon, of Hinesville, passed away Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, following an auto accident in South Carolina. Jerry, or "Chief," as he was known to family and friends, was born July 19, 1943, in Pittsburgh to the late Frank and Jean Myers-Cislon, and attended Pittsburgh public schools. Upon graduation from high school, he was offered a basketball scholarship to Arizona State University, but Uncle Sam had other plans for him, and he was drafted into the Army. He served 20 years in the Army, including service in Germany and in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

While in the military, he attended college and earned degrees from the University of Maryland (Munich campus) and the University of Hawaii. Once he retired from the military, he returned to Fort Stewart, giving 17 more years as a civil servant. He received many awards while in the military and as a civilian, including the Hammer Award, which was presented to him by Vice President Al Gore for his dedication and service.

After retiring for the second time, Jerry pursued his passion for writing and carpentry. His master handcrafted furniture can be found in many homes and churches today. A World War II buff, he walked the beaches of Omaha in July 2013, gathering sand from the beaches where so many Americans died. He had a love of baseball and could recite the statistics of any one of the great players, both past and present. He was also known to play practical jokes on all of his employees, making stressful times in the workplace a little more pleasant.

Jerry's favorite pastime was writing. He has three published books to his credit, and two more books are currently at the publishers. While sipping on his cup of tea and dunking and eating his favorite cookies, he wrote about his adventures throughout Southeast Asia and of children, whom he loved so dearly. His book "Gander" was dedicated to all of the soldiers who have served with the 101st Airborne Division.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Veal-Cislon; sisters, Judy Gordon (Pat) of Houston, Texas, Jill Wadsworth (Don), and Jean Scott; brother, James Cislon; stepson, Michael; sister-in-law, Carol; and mother-in-law, Belle Veal, all of Pittsburgh; a host of nieces and nephews in Houston and Pittsburgh; hundreds of soldiers who called him "Dad"; and the many children he adored.

He will be missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at Hinesville First United Methodist Church. Interment with full military honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to RMC Foundation, 3000 St. Matthews Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118, in memory of Gerald F. Cislon (Patricia Cislon).

Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com.