Jerry Kairis

Jerry Kairis, 73, of North Scranton, passed away on Thursday.

Son of the late Edward and Dorothy Loftus Kairis, Jerry was schooled in the Scranton public school system. He was a 1967 graduate of Scranton Central High School. He earned an associate degree from Keystone College in 1969 and a Bachelor or Science degree from Bloomsburg University in 1971. In 1972, after graduating from college, Jerry was commissioned a second lieutenant, through the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate Training Program in Quantico, Virginia.

While serving in the Marine Corps, Jerry earned a Master of Science degree in finance and a Master of Science in management from the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Additionally he was awarded a Master of Arts degree in international relations from Salva Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island. Jerry was a graduate of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Virginia, and the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.

During his military career Jerry served at every major Marine Corps base in the United States — from Camp Lejeune on the east coast to Camp Pendleton on the west coast. Additionally, he served overseas in the countries of Australia, Japan, the Republic of South Korea and the Republic of the Philippines. During the 1992 Gulf War, Jerry initially served at the Atlantic Fleet's Headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, as a member of the Atlantic Command's Battle-Staff. During the war fighting period of Operation Desert Storm, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for his actions in this conflict. During his final overseas tour, Jerry served in South Korea as the senior Marine Corps advisor for Focus Lens, the largest international exercise in Southeast Asia.

Jerry retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2002, with the rank of colonel.

After his retirement from the Marine Corps, Jerry spent 15 years teaching United States history at Carbondale Area High School. While teaching at Carbondale Area, he served as coach of the high school's debating team. He also served as the "Voice of the Chargers" announcing all home basketball and football games for the school. During his teaching tenure, Jerry earned a Master of Science in secondary education from Wilkes University.

After retiring from teaching, Jerry worked 18 years at Geisinger Marworth, assisting patients with alcohol and drug dependency on their road to recovery. Jerry also served as a volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House, assisting in providing a home away from home for families with seriously ill or injured children.

He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Marine Corps League.

Jerry was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Martha Kate.

He is survived by his brother, Edward and his wife, Elaine; his brother, George and his wife, Karen; his brother, Paul and his wife, Gerri; his sister, Peggy Sue and her husband, Randy; as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, with services by the Rev. Stephen Asomah, assistant pastor. Attendees should meet directly at the church. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Friends may pay their respects on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House, 332 Wheeler Ave., Scranton, PA  18510.