Obituary for Gerald Joseph Bonham Gerald “Jerry” Bonham, Sr; 87 of Murphysboro, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, 25 December 2018. He was born on 12 June 1931 to the late John “Bud” Bonham and Helen Bonham (nee Young). He is predeceased by his son, John Frank Bonham.
He graduated from Logan High School in Murphysboro, Illinois. He joined the United States Air Force in February 1950 and served for twenty years. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant.
He was on the ground floor of the SNARK Missile Program, with the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron. He also served with The Strategic Air Command, the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and served in Viet Nam. After his retirement from the USAF he accompanied his wife Leona to Europe were he worked as a secretary for the Air Force Family Advocacy Program, he was a tourbus driver for MWR, and also worked for a British Inventory Corporation.
Upon returning to the United States he continued his involvement with the Knights of Columbus where he was a Fourth Degree Knight, a Faithful Navigator, and Commander of the Color Guard. He worked as an Administrative Specialist for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona. He is survived by his wife Georgia Leona Bonham (nee Smith), who he married on 29 August, 1953 in Rapid City South Dakota.
They had recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. He is also survived by his four children: Cynthia M. Bonham-Miller of Bullhead City, Arizona, Helen Paulson (Einor Paulson) of Willcox, Arizona, Gerald, Jr (Alejandro Espinosa) of Denver, Colorado and Paul Bonham (Danette Sundem) of North Pole, Alaska. He was a grandfather to twelve children and a great-grandfather to twelve children.
Cremation arrangements are by Adair Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, 12 January, 2019; 11:30 am, at Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, Tucson, Arizona. Internment will be at a future date in Murphysboro, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity. Obituaries & Tributes (520) 326-4343 Immediate Need Pre-Arrange Your Funeral Contact Us Site Search Text Sizing Flowers & Tribute Gifts The Adair Difference Funeral Planning Online Tributes Re Center Gerald Joseph Bonham June 12, 1931 – December 25, 2018 Share this tribute Funeral Details Memory Wall Photos & Videos Send Flowers Obituary for Gerald Joseph Bonham Gerald “Jerry” Bonham, Sr; 87 of Murphysboro, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, 25 December 2018. He was born on 12 June 1931 to the late John “Bud” Bonham and Helen Bonham (nee Young).
He is predeceased by his son, John Frank Bonham. He graduated from Logan High School in Murphysboro, Illinois. He joined the United States Air Force in February 1950 and served for twenty years.
He attained the rank of Master Sergeant. He was on the ground floor of the SNARK Missile Program, with the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron. He also served with The Strategic Air Command, the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and served in Viet Nam.
After his retirement from the USAF he accompanied his wife Leona to Europe were he worked as a secretary for the Air Force Family Advocacy Program, he was a tourbus driver for MWR, and also worked for a British Inventory Corporation. Upon returning to the United States he continued his involvement with the Knights of Columbus where he was a Fourth Degree Knight, a Faithful Navigator, and Commander of the Color Guard. He worked as an Administrative Specialist for Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona.
He is survived by his wife Georgia Leona Bonham (nee Smith), who he married on 29 August, 1953 in Rapid City South Dakota. They had recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. He is also survived by his four children: Cynthia M. Bonham-Miller of Bullhead City, Arizona, Helen Paulson (Einor Paulson) of Willcox, Arizona, Gerald, Jr (Alejandro Espinosa) of Denver, Colorado and Paul Bonham (Danette Sundem) of North Pole, Alaska.
He was a grandfather to twelve children and a great-grandfather to twelve children. Cremation arrangements are by Adair Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, 12 January, 2019; 11:30 am, at Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, Tucson, Arizona.
Internment will be at a future date in Murphysboro, Illinois. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity. Service Information When Saturday, January 12th, 2019 11:30am Location St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Address 8650 N. Shannon Rd.
Tucson, AZ Text Directions Email Directions View Map Alltel Location Information 520-297-7357 East side of Shannon Rd just north of Magee Send Flowers for Gerald’s Service Guaranteed delivery before Gerald’s service begins Place a Donation Choose from a Family Preferred Charity or select your own. Place a Donation Family Log-In The Family Interactive feature enhances the Book of Memories. Authorized family members can securely access their loved one’s memorial website settings at any time.
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