Geraldine "Jeri" Johnson Colenda

  Geraldine Johnson Colenda, affectionately known as “Jeri,” died on December 23, 2017 in Orange Park, Florida after years of spirited battles with chronic illness.  She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, to Art and Geraldine “Gerry” Colenda, both of whom predeceased her while living in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jeri graduated from Rock Hill Academy in Charlottesville, Virginia and earned degrees from Pensacola Junior College and St. Leo University after attending the University of Virginia, Ferrum College and Old Dominion University.  She lived in Italy, Spain, New York City, the D.C. metro area, and Georgia, but she always returned to Florida. During her 26-year career with the Department of Defense, Jeri’s experiences and expertise included duties within the Departments of Protocol, Public Affairs, and Special Projects, which included the Yorktown Bicentennial Joint Task Force, the Office of the Vice President at the White House (Communications), the Armed Forces Presidential Inaugural Committee, and the Desert Storm Homecoming Parades in New York City and Washington, D.C.  During the 1960s and 70s, Jeri was privileged to develop lifelong friendships with Navy pilots within the A-7 community at NAS Cecil Field in Orange Park, Florida.  She also served the Army Transportation Command and the Navy Recruiting Command in Washington, D.C., and she was awarded the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service from the U.S. Army (the third-highest civilian award given by the U.S. Army) for her successful work on the Yorktown Bicentennial Joint Task Force. Jeri was a volunteer for the American Red Cross, serving in Italy, Georgia and Florida.  She was a member of the U.S. Golf Association, and served as a walking scorer for PGA/LPGA Tours for 15 years.  She was a Life Member of the Military Officer’s Association of America (MOAA) (Sun City Center, Florida chapter).  In lieu of flowers, Jeri wished for memorial donations be made to the Colenda Fund (Art, Gerry and Jeri) established at the Hampton Roads (Virginia) Community Foundation, or to another deserving charity in her memory.  The Colenda Fund provides needed assistance to children (including through The Maury Foundation), veterans (particularly the disabled), and animals (abandoned, abused or in need of rescue).