Gerald Francis Hebert

Gerald Francis Hebert, known as Jerry, died on June 20, 2025, at his home in Elk Grove, California. He was 84.

Born on June 13, 1941, in Joliet, Illinois, Jerry was the youngest son of Maurice and Margaret Hebert. He grew up in Joliet, where his father served as the city’s Chief of Police—a fortunate arrangement, given Jerry’s knack in his younger years for landing in minor trouble that often required a quiet word and a phone call from the top.

Jerry served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, primarily in Security Services. His assignments took him to Germany, Turkey, Taiwan, Vietnam, Florida, Italy, and Illinois. He was extremely proud of his time in the military and especially appreciated the travel and adventure it offered.

In 1965, while stationed in Taipei, Taiwan, he met Mei Chu Li, whom he later married. They were married for 57 years and lived in many locations over the course of his military and civil service careers before settling in California. Jerry often told anyone who would listen that Mei was his rock—a steady presence through decades of travel, transitions, and adventure.

After retiring from the Air Force, Jerry continued working in federal service for another 17 years with T-ASA (Television-Audio Support Activity). His work took him to Frankfurt, Germany; Vicenza, Italy; Seoul, Korea; Washington, D.C.; Alexandria, Virginia; Albania; and various locations in South America. He served as Chief Engineer while stationed in Seoul and deeply valued the lifelong friendships he formed with his T-ASA colleagues, staying in regular contact with many of them over the years.

Jerry had a lifelong interest in music—particularly female vocalists and Dixieland jazz—and enjoyed restoring and working on British sports cars, especially the Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite, which he raced during his time in Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Mei Hebert; his daughter, (Rhonda) Lee Notar; and his grandsons, Grant and Troy McKinster.

He will be buried with military honors at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California, on July 16, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.