Franklin "Jerry" Ausmus Jr.

CHESAPEAKE - Franklin Gerald "Jerry" Ausmus, Jr, 67, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Jerry was born on September 7, 1954, to the late Franklin and Helen Ausmus in Beaufort, SC and travelled extensively with his father's Marine Corp career. Jerry wanted to be a firefighter from a very young age. After graduating from Frederick Military Academy, Jerry obtained his Associates Degree in Fire Science from Tidewater Community College, a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Averett University. He was also a graduate from the Executive Fire Officer's Program at the National Fire Academy.

Jerry's fire services career spanned over 40 years. He started with the Chesapeake Fire Department, then moved to the Department of Defense as a Federal Firefighter and then retired as Fire Chief from the Norfolk International Airport. Jerry returned to the Department of Defense to serve as a Fire Inspector for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he retired in 2016.

In his free time, Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Chesapeake, VA, St. Thomas More's Catholic Church in Oceanside, CA, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 418 and Assembly 1166 as a 4th degree Knight. When his sons were younger, he was active as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 228.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Franklin and Helen Ausmus and a son, Jason Ausmus.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Margaret; a son, Mark Ausmus and his wife Christine; a grandson, Emerson all of Oceanside, CA; two brothers, Lionel C. Cabaniss and his wife Mary of Beaufort, SC and William C. Cabaniss and his wife Carolyn of Wilmington, NC; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Monday, June 27, 2022 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chesapeake. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4 - 6 PM at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel. Immediately following the burial, the family will receive friends at the Sturtevant Event Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or a charity of their choice.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com