Best, Gerald Cornelius “Astro”

Gerald Cornelius “Astro” Best, passed away on May 4, 2022 unexpectedly. He was born on December 23, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Gerald and Yvonne C. Best. He recently married the love of his life, Leslie D. Best. Gerald was educated in the Chicago public school system attending Lindblom Tech where he was a member of THEE Family and graduating from Simeon Career Academy in 1983 where he was a star athlete on the football team. He graduated from University of Northern Iowa in 1987 with a BS in Behavioral Health. In college he played football and was a member of the ROTC and Chi Eta chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He later earned a MS from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Technical Management.

Gerald was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army serving with the 82nd Airborne Division, honorably discharged in 1996. Gerald was a dedicated employee and entrepreneur, leading his consulting company Astro logistic Solutions.

Gerald loved and served Christ as a member of Destiny Christian Center church. The perfect combination of fun and focus, Gerald had an infectious smile and a magnetic personality that filled up a room. To be in Gerald’s circle was to be deeply loved.

Gerald was predeceased by his father. In addition to his wife and mother, Gerald is survived by his daughter Stephanie Best, son Gerald C. Best III, grandsons Antonio Maldonado and Joseph Seidel; granddaughters Mariana and Adrianna Bingham; brothers Lawrence Patterson and William Best, niece Laura Patterson; brother-cousins Lloyd Kelly (Andre) and Paul Kelly (Eloise); cousins Christopher Kelly (Elena) and Collin Kelly and a host of other family and friends and loved ones.

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