RET. COL. GERALD “GERRY” KING BEBBER, 77, of Crumpler, NC, died suddenly on March 28, 2024. Born in Moline, Illinois, on March 28, 1947, he was the son of the late Donald Kenneth and Ruth Irene King Bebber. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Robert Bebber and his older sister, Danielle Cheves.
Gerry was a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Class of 1971, and held a Master in Divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary. He was an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Canada, and was a member of the former Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, now a part of the Anglican Church, for over 40 years. He served civilian parishes in Newfoundland, Canada and central Illinois for several years before receiving his commission as a chaplain in the Illinois National Guard in 1984, while vicar of St. James Episcopal Church in Lewistown, Illinois.
An active-duty Army chaplain for 25 years before retiring, Gerry was a veteran of Desert Storm, a Master Parachutist and Jumpmaster, at the time, the oldest person ever to graduate from jumpmaster school, who was known for his role providing aid in the aftermath of Pope Air Force Base’s Green Ramp Disaster. His favorite aspect of his role in the military was working with the troops, especially providing counseling and support to younger service members.
After retiring to Ashe County, North Carolina in 2009, Gerry remained active in the church, and also enjoyed participating in the Peak Creek Ruritan Club and the Marine Corps League. He loved music and photography, drinking coffee, spending time outdoors, and flying his drone.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Irene Van Patton Bebber, their three children: Rachel Irene Bebber (Scottie) of Hixson, Tennessee, Donald Bebber (Tara) of Tucson, Arizona, and Benedict Bebber (Gloria) of Brownsville, Texas, and their four grand-children, as well as his younger brother, Phillip Bebber of Jacksonville, Florida, and his younger sister, Barbara Yoakum of Annapolis, Maryland. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, and by the many people whose lives he touched.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024at 10:30am at Christ Episcopal Church in Sparta, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations in memoriam may be made to the Peak Creek Ruritan Club, 7062 NC Highway 88 East, Laurel Springs, NC 28644 or wd.ruritan@gmail.com.
