Jerald Lee Putnam was born June 16, 1939 to Dorothy and Leon Putnam of Griswold, IA.
Jerry attended Country School and graduated from Griswold High School in 1957. From there, he attended Iowa State University, where he was a member of ROTC and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He was commissioned into the Air Force in 1961, attended flight school at James Connelly AFB as a Second Lieutenant. After tours of duty in Thailand and Vietnam, he was accepted into the Defense Intelligence School in Washington DC. He graduated with a Master’s degree and certification as a US Intelligence Officer. He attended Air Command and Staff College. “Join the Military and see the World” – Jerry was lucky enough to do just that, he circled the world twice and loved every minute of it. After twenty-one years of military life, Jerry retired from the US Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1982 and settled in Scottsdale, AZ as he had been accepted to The Thunderbird Institute. Jerry graduated from Thunderbird with a Master in International Management degree. He worked in the financial field for many years.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 57 years: Shiona Putnam of Griswold, IA; two daughters: Stephanie Campbell of Phoenix, AZ and Andrea Putnam of Joliet, IL; two sisters: Judy Robberts (Kenny) of Lyman, IA and Debbie McAfee (Ralph) of Parrish, FL; sister-in-law: Marla Putnam of Peoria, AZ; brother-in-law: Ross Drummond (Elspeth) of Ayr, Scotland and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents: Leon and Dorothy Putnam; brother: Leon Putnam Jr. (Marla); sister: Sharon Oles (Bruce); sisters-in-law: Victoria Lord (Ron) of Sydney, Australia and Olive Feher (Dr. Peter) of Frankfurt, Germany.
Jerry was always involved in the community in which he lived. Since moving back to Griswold in the 1990’s, he served as Mayor of Griswold for eight years, was a Cass County Hospital board member and Cass County Hospital Foundation board member, was a Veteran’s Affairs Commissioner for Cass County, and was involved with many other county and city boards.
Jerry’s faith was strong. He really enjoyed his church family at the United Methodist Church in Griswold, spending time with family, friends, and his coffee buddies. He always had his nose in a book, loved to travel and do his Omaha Herald crossword puzzles. He will be dearly missed.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Griswold United Methodist Church. Interment will be held at a later date. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
