SgtMajor John Gerian, USMC

I had the pleasure of serving with SgtMajor John Gerian in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. TO say he was an exceptional leader is an understatement.

While in Okinawa preparing to go to war, he had all enlisted men gather around and in a moment of informality in an organization known for being formal, allowed the junior Marines to ask questions of him.

His words gave us confidence in our ability. His almost fatherly approach gave us clarity of what would be asked of us. I've always appreciated that moment as a formative experience.

Decades past, Social Media would bring us together, and we kept in touch. He was still SgtMajor, still called us WarPigs. He wished us happy birthday, congratulated us in achievements, accomplishments, on births of our children, consoled us on deaths of our loved ones. He even cut up on us if we gave him the opening.

John went on to be the Animal Control officer of Blackwell OK, where he made lasting impression on his coworkers, the community and the animals he loved so much.

John passed away on March 11th, and leave his loving wife Kathy Gerian and his son Charles Gerian.

Please consider a donation to assist them in covering short term expenses as they recover from their loss.