Gerald W. "Jerry" Flint

Gerald "Jerry" William Flint, of Pengilly, Minnesota passed away Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Jerry was born March 1, 1945 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Clifford Edward and Helen (Kutchen) Flint. He grew up in Keewatin and Pengilly, graduating from Nashwauk-Keewatin High School. He learned to handle heavy equipment very early side by side with his dad as they were leveling the site for St. Kevin's Catholic Church in Pengilly.

Jerry joined the USAF the day after graduation in 1963 wanting to see the world. Jerry's first assignment was in Duluth, Minnesota. Other stateside assignments were in Washington D.C., with intelligence and Omaha, Nebraska with the Strategic Air Command. Finally getting his wish, he spent time in Germany, South East Asia and Korea, where he acquired a taste for Kimchi. While in Korea, Jerry was a Boy Scout Leader. Jerry served as a casualty affairs officer and liaison between the families and the servicemen who had been injured or died in action. He also had an assignment as a personnel specialist duty with 52 trips into Viet Nam for casualty recovery and identification.

Jerry retired after 23 years in 1986, settling in Omaha, Nebraska where his children finished their high school education. Seven years later, he reconnected with his high school friend, Sherry (Maryland) Burcar and were married in 1993 in Grand Rapids. They made their home in Clearwater where Jerry was the operation manager of a heavy metal recycling plant.

Upon retirement in 2004, they moved to Split Hand Lake in Grand Rapids where they spent time fishing and 4-wheeling. Six winters were spent in Arizona and Texas. Jerry also was a volunteer coordinator and instructor for the AARP Safe Driving Course for 20 years.

After fixing everything in the house, even if it wasn't broken, Jerry left home in the morning and said he would not return until he had a job. Boredom had gotten to him. He then drove truck for Sutherland Excavating and in the farm fields of North Dakota hauling wheat, soy beans and sugar beets and loved hours on the road driving big trucks. He was a good friend to Sherry's sons and helped the boys with excavation of their land in Alaska.

Let's not forget his rigid weekly schedule: Monday – Laundry, Tuesday – Floors, Wednesday – Rest, Thursday – Meeting with friends for broasted chicken and chocolate dessert, Friday – Breakfast with friends, Saturday – Mowing lawn or plowing snow, Sunday – Security duty or making coffee at church.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sherry Burcar Flint; children, Tom (Georgina) Bola, Colorado, Christina (Joe) Voll, Texas; stepsons, Mark (Aubrey) Burcar, Alaska and Paul Burcar, Alaska; siblings, Jimmy (Linda) Flint, Pengilly, Janice (Mike) Schultz, MO, Josh (Rick) Long, Florida, John (Lori) Flint, Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Saxon, Taegon, and Levi Bola, Joey, Anthony and Donovon Voll, and Ayla and Evalyn Burcar; nieces, Carrie and Stephanie; nephews, Christopher, Tyler, Rickie, James, and Jon. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held at Grace Bible Chapel, 2452 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744 on Saturday, December 6, 2025 –Visitation 10 – 11 AM, Funeral 11 AM, followed by lunch and fellowship. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Duluth at a later date.