Lieutenant General (Retired) Jerome Bernard Hilmes

SARASOTA - Lieutenant General (Retired) Jerome Bernard Hilmes (Age 87) was taken by our Lord on Monday September 11, 2023, in Sarasota, Florida. Jerry, a devout Catholic, was born in Carlyle, IL to Anna and Herman Hilmes. The youngest of five, he graduated high school in nearby Breese and studied at Saint Louis University before receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. It was at West Point Jerry met the love of his life, Geraldine McDonough, from Albany, NY. Jerry graduated seventh in his West Point class in 1959, earning a Bachelor of Science, and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. Geri and Jerry were married on June 6, 1959, immediately embarking on what would be become a lifetime of shared service and sacrifice to the nation and to the other men and women who also volunteered to defend the Constitution, along with their families. Their Army journey spanned 33 years and included two years of combat in Vietnam, over seven years of service in Europe during the Cold War, attainment of a master’s degree and PhD in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University, and command at every echelon. Jerry retired from the Army, as a lieutenant general, on a summer Friday in 1992. A proud workaholic, he immediately began a second career within Computer Sciences Corporation the following Monday. Jerry retired from CSC as a division president in 2001, relocating to Sarasota, FL later that year. Geri and Jerry enjoyed their “golden years” in Sarasota immensely, visiting their grandchildren, forging many new friendships, traveling abroad, volunteering in multiple capacities, and continuing to stay engaged with the defense community on a consultative basis. Despite his numerous professional accolades and titles, Jerry is best remembered by his family and friends as a servant leader, person of exceptional integrity, faithful husband, role model father, doting grandpa, Boy Scout Troop Master, school PTA president, and unwavering counselor, mentor, and life coach. Genuine and humble, sometimes to his own detriment, he exuded the concept of service above self. Jerry is preceded in death by his beloved Geri, his parents, and his siblings Alvina, Betty, Robert, and Walter. He is survived by his four sons and their families; Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Bruce and wife Diana, grandchildren Chris and Megan, and great-grandchildren Oliver, Brady, Cameron; Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Gary and wife Sabine, grandchildren Ryan and Angelique, and great-grandchildren Hailey and Miles; Doug and wife Jean, grandchildren Alexander and Ashley; Brigadier General (Ret) Andy and wife Nicole, grandchildren Jocelyn, Drew, and Madison. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 17, 2023, from 3 until 5 p.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota. A funeral mass will be held Monday, September 18th, 9:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Sarasota, followed by a 12:30 p.m. interment at Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Tidewell Hospice at www.tidewellfoundation.org or Autism Speaks at www.autismspeaks.org/donate.