Tributes

Col. Irv Richard Gerrow, retired, (Feb. 1, 1933-Jan. 23, 2023) and Barbara Ann Gerrow (Nov. 29, 1930-Jan. 1, 2023) both recently passed away after more than 68 years of marriage. They met in New York in the early 1950s, him a popular athlete on his way to becoming a professional baseball player, her a pretty and sophisticated young woman from Mt. Vernon. They soon became a couple and started a lifetime of adventures together. Born to Joseph and Katie Goldsmith in the Bronx, New York, Irv, sidelined from baseball due to an injury, joined the Air Force in 1954. He quickly rose through the ranks of military service, while earning an MBA from the University of Southern California and attending the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. As a pilot, he flew 252 combat missions in Vietnam, and earned numerous commendations including multiple Vietnam service stars and medals, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. His career took him, Barbara and their family across the United States including assignments in Puerto Rico, Ohio, California, Virginia, and Hawaii before his final post at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. After retiring from the military, he worked in sales and consulting, and was very active in the community of Windcrest as part of the Citizen Patrol and the city’s economic development team. Born to William and Wilhelmina Butler in New York, Barbara attended Greenbriar Finishing School in West Virginia and became the consummate military spouse and hostess. She was active in the Officers Wives Club, and later worked at Saks Fifth Avenue where her excellent taste and style sensibilities made her popular with customers. The Gerrows were avid golfers and travelers, taking cruises and tours across the globe and making lifelong friends along the way. Irv was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing, and Barbara was an artist who created beautiful pieces of needlework cherished by her family. They both doted on their granddaughters and spent as much time with them as possible. They are survived by children Thomas (Robin Stanton) Gerrow and Valerie (Jay) Zavaleta along with grandchildren Sara, Rachel and Natalie Zavaleta, and step grandson Nathaniel Rhodes. Irv is survived by a sister, Rena McCulloch of Aurora, Colorado; Barbara is survived by a brother, William Butler II of Simi Valley, California. A private memorial service is being planned. Those who know and love them are sure they are together, playing cards, and looking forward to an evening cocktail.

Tributes

Irv Richard and Barbara Ann Gerrow

January 1, 2023