CW3 Gerald Frank "Chief" Cislon

1943 - 2015

CW3 Gerald Frank "Chief" Cislon obituary, 1943-2015, Hinesville, GA

CW3 Gerald Frank "Chief" Cislon

1943 - 2015

Gerald Cislon Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Sep. 25 to Oct. 2, 2015.
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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Gerald Cislon's Guest Book

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March 14, 2025

John posted to the memorial.

January 14, 2016

Marilyn Bruggeman(king) posted to the memorial.

October 17, 2015

Ed posted to the memorial.

John

March 14, 2025

Knew jerry as a cook at the 44th mash unit in Korea. We played a lot of basketball and later he found me and we talked some on computers back then. Thought he had throat cancer perhaps. A tually thought he was married then too. Perhaps Tu. So kinda wondering if this is the same jerry. I have pictures from Korean yearbook. Just bought Gander. Lol.

Marilyn Bruggeman(king)

January 14, 2016

Gerry was such a great guy. He was my mom's favorite red head. Now he's with her and his mom and they're keeping him in line

Ed

October 17, 2015

Jerry all of your friends in Pitts burgh will miss you

October 6, 2015

Dear Patty,
Andy & I just heard of Jerry's passing. We were out of the country, such sad news when we returned. Our prayers are with you & your family. May God bless and keep you all in the palm of His hands. Turn to Him for comfort. May Jerry rest in peace....he was one of the good guys. Steelers nation has lost a great fan, but we know he's up there rooting for his team. Much Love, your former neighbors Toni & Harris Andrews.

October 1, 2015

Patty,
Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort during this difficult time. Love and miss you! Pam and Bria Fulp

mike force

October 1, 2015

Patty,
Me and my family will be praying for you at this time of great loss. Jerry was a great man and was a joy to be around he would always take time to spend with people he barely knew. I will always remember Jerry. Patty, God has a plan and he was ready to enjoy Jerry himself.

Mike Force and family

Donna Washington

September 30, 2015

Patty,
You are in our hearts and prayers. We pray you continue to seek God's Love, Peace and Comfort during this difficult time. We love you Patty Cakes!

Love,
Joe, Donna & Morgan

September 30, 2015

Pattie,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband. I am praying that you will soon be comforted by God's grace and peace. We have dearly missed you here in Charlotte with our Deaf Ministry. We love and miss you!
Del Savage

Octavia Ellerbe

September 30, 2015

Patsy,
I will continue to pray for your strength during this time and always know you are loved by so many near and far.
"Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal."
Love "Tavie"

Maegan

September 29, 2015

"your candles burn out long before your legend ever will."
-elton john

Sis Gavran

September 29, 2015

Patty,
Jerry's death is a great loss to all who knew him and grew up with him . I have many memories but the one I treasure most is hearing that basketball bouncing as he walked past the house to practice. to this day whenever i hear a basketball being bounced as kids walk by. I always think of him and smile.
God Bless!

Jan Norman

September 29, 2015

Patty, I am so sorry for your loss. Jerry was very special and will be truly missed. May God continue to watch over you and give you the strength that you need to endure. I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Sig, Nancy and Ben Tragard

Sig & Nancy Tragard

September 29, 2015

Patty,
Nancy and I send our love and pray for you in this difficult time. As you may recall I see Jim, Jerry's brother, every Friday at our Men's Bible study and he keeps me informed about you and the extended family. We were so saddened to hear of Jerry's death. I hope you are well. Grace and peace through Christ our Lord and Savior. All our best to you and Michael, Carol and Nana Belle. Much love, Sig and Nancy Tragard

one of Gerald Cislon's published book.

Maegan A,

September 29, 2015

Jerry,

You will be missed. Thank you for all the wonderful stories you've shared, the manuscript you've written and the good feeling you leave your readers with. I feel privileged to have known you and Patty. You two are wonderful people and inspiring couples.

You may be gone but you've left behind a legacy -- your books. When I read your books, I feel that you haven't left at all. We still have big dreams and magnificent plans for your books. I feel that we can still accomplish so much for your novels and I'm holding on to the fulfillment of your dreams.


Patty,

Please find comfort in the thought that Jerry's watching over you now. You may have lost a husband but heaven has gained a literati angel.
May God comfort you and your family in this difficult moment,

Mary Hayes

September 28, 2015

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Bill and Mary S. Hannigan

September 27, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

September 26, 2015

Patty, Our family is deeply saddened by your loss. "Mr. Jerry", as my children fondly called him, will be missed. We enjoyed the many conversations that we had with him. He was very thoughtful during the loss of my husband. If there is anything that we can do for you, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Sherman Markowitz

September 25, 2015

Chief
From all the soldiers of the 3220 USA Garrison West Palm Beach Fl. (Desert Shield/ Desert Storm) we thank you for service and your help making our job sucessful , you guided use through dark times with your experience and humor it was an honor as the 1SGT to have served with you

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Sign Gerald Cislon's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

March 14, 2025

John posted to the memorial.

January 14, 2016

Marilyn Bruggeman(king) posted to the memorial.

October 17, 2015

Ed posted to the memorial.