Jerry Harrington

Jerry, age 89, of Valdosta, Georgia, departed this life at home on December 3, 2025. He was a devout Catholic. Jerry was born on September 22, 1936, to the late Mary E. Harrington and Jeremiah J. Harrington Sr. of Providence, Rhode Island.

Jerry grew up in East Providence, Rhode Island, together with his sister, Grace. He worked in several jobs in Providence, East Providence, and Riverside, R.I., prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force at age 18. He reported to Sampson AFB, Geneva, N.Y., for basic training. He served four years on active duty, and then he was assigned to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. As his military service was soon to end, Jerry became employed as a U.S. Air Force Defense Department employee in Casablanca, Morocco. Jerry served nine years overseas—in Nouasseur AB, Casablanca, Morocco; Madrid, Spain (U.S. Air Force); and Orleans, France (U.S. Army). Jerry had vivid memories of his experiences overseas. He lived off base—Casablanca, Morocco; Madrid, Spain; and Orleans, France.

He was in Paris to attend one of the last performances of Édith Piaf (“Little Sparrow”), the famous World War II French performer, and was in Paris in 1963 when the death of President John F. Kennedy was announced. He traveled throughout Morocco, Spain, the island of Majorca (Spain), France, Italy, Gibraltar, Germany, and Greece.

In 1958, Jerry drove his Chevy to the ski resort (the highest on the continent) in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Later in France, he was the driver of a 404 Peugeot in the annual Snow Rally, together with his companion navigator, becoming the first Americans to arrive at the Mont Blanc Ski Resort—considered the best resort in the world—in Chamonix, the French Alps, as reported in the newspaper La République du Centre.

Returning to the United States, he was employed by the U.S. Navy in Orlando, Fla., where he met his lifetime best friend and wife, Carolyn.

Continuing to work as a civilian employee, Jerry worked for the Defense Logistics Agency, Alexandria, Va., before his final move to the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Georgia. He worked for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. • Ambassador of Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea. • Certificate of Honor from the State of Georgia for service during the Vietnam War. He also served during the Cold War era. As a Marine Corps civilian, he provided materiel support during the Gulf War. Since his retirement, he has worked for Florida State University and at the Space Coast, Patrick AFB, for Pan American World Airlines. Jerry held a real estate license for over 20 years. He attended Valencia College and Jones College (now Orlando College) in Orlando, Fla.

He was a member of the Shriners for over 50 years.

He was an avid runner, participating in several races: the Cherry Blossom Classic in Washington, D.C.; the 6K in Plains, Ga. (along with President Jimmy Carter); and the Marine Corps Half Marathon in Albany, Ga.

Jerry enjoyed playing pool. He won the 2008 billiards championship during the tenure of Eric Hahn, Valdosta Recreation, Parks and Community Affairs interim director. In December 2009, he won the yearlong 8-ball “Titletown Classic” Billiard Tournament—the only person to have participated in and won the Titletown tournament.

Jerry and his wife lived in many locations in the Washington, D.C., area and in the South—Florida and Georgia.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved sister, Grace A. Dessert.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of over 51 years, Carolyn E. Harrington of Valdosta, Ga.; his son and daughter-in-law, David J. Harrington (Sonja) of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; three loving grandchildren, Brayden, Mila, and Kade; two stepchildren, Walter “Rock” Henderson (Teri) and son, Tommy, of Blue Ridge, Ga., and William D. Henderson of Madison, Fla; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 20, 2025, in the Valdosta Chapel of Music Funeral Services. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 AM until 11:00AM, at the funeral home. A private graveside service will be held at a later time. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com. The Harrington family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.