Gerald W Rinker

Gerald W. Rinker, age 80, passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday, 22 May with his family by his side. Jerry, as his friends knew him, grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University before joining the United States Air Force. He Served in Vietnam as a fighter pilot and became a decorated Colonel with 24 years of active duty.  After Jerry retired from the Air Force he worked for 12 years selling aircraft arresting systems to the various air forces in the Far East, New Zealand and Australia before retiring to Treasure Island, FL with Annmartine. They moved to Wake Forest, NC in 2016.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who gave of his time generously to help those in need whether they were family members, friends, foster children or animals.  He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Annmartine, of 28 years, his daughter Tammy Uthurralt (Tampa, FL), her children, Perry Power (Dani), Taylor Deciano (Ryan), Zack Power, Josette Uthurralt and daughter Christy VanNess, her husband, John, their sons, Trey and Cooper (Wake Forest, NC).  He was preceded in death by his first wife Carolyn and his son Kevin Rinker.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony with military honors is planned for June 29 in Wake Forest, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jerry’s honor to either the Gary Sinise foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org) which honors our defenders veterans and first responders and their families and those in need, or the SPCA of Wake County (www.spcawake.org), two causes he was passionate about you.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811
www.brightfunerals.com
 

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