Gerald was born 12/6/1938 to Catherine (Doyle) and Harry Brickner in Minot, ND. He attended 1st and 2nd grade in Velva, ND and 3rd through 12th grades in Makoti, ND. He graduated from Makoti High School as Valedictorian in 1956. In high school Jerry played the baritone in the school band and won several awards playing baritone solos. Jerry went on to graduate from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1961, with a degree in Civil Engineering and went on to work with Everett’s and Associates in Jamestown, ND.
Jerry was drafted into the US Army in 1962, and he served 2 years with the US Army Corps of Engineers in Ft Bragg, NC. He was with a mapping unit that remapped the eastern United States.
After serving in the Army, Jerry returned to work at Everett’s and Associates in Jamestown. Upon the death of the main owner in 1964, Jerry became the general manager of the corporation. He stayed in that capacity until 1967, at which point he and Bill Tompkins began purchasing stock in the corporation. Purchasing continued over the next 10yrs , until they became majority stockholders. Jerry was then appointed Secretary/Treasurer and ultimately President of the Corporation. Jerry was honored in Who’s Who in American Business.
Jerry was married to JoAnn Skjeret from 1979 to 1985. They had one son, Derek Michael, in 1980. The doctor was late coming in to the delivery, so by the time the doctor arrived, Jerry and JoAnn had already delivered Derek. Some years later, when Derek (now a doctor himself) described helping deliver a baby in med school, Jerry told the story of how he was the first person to hold Derek.
In the 1990s, Bill Tompkins became ill with health issues, and they decided to liquidate their construction business. Jerry then went to work with the Stutsman County Highway Department as Road Superintendent. He also spent time completing FEMA claims for Stutsman County up until he retired.
Jerry’s hobbies included recreational flying, horticulture, antiques, & American Indian artifacts. From a very young age, he enjoyed taking things apart to see how they were made, and then he would put them back together. When he would babysit his younger sisters (Karen and Kathi), he’d make them promise not to tell Mother that he took things apart and made them whole again!
After a courageous fight with lung cancer, Jerry passed away on 8/22/24 under the care of Eventide Nursing Home and JRMC hospice. Jerry’s family wishes to give a huge shout out to all those who were involved in making his final months and days more comfortable.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, 3 infant siblings (Donna, twins Robert and Beverly), uncle and aunt Bernard and Alice Doyle, cousin Marian Gruenfelder, aunt and uncle Rose Ellen and Henry Gerber, aunt and uncle Marybelle and George Anderson, cousins Kevin Anderson, Curtis Anderson, Dee Prinz, and brother-in-law Hank Burley.
Jerry is survived by his son Derek and daughter-in-law Justine Brickner, grandsons Drew and Bodie Brickner, sister and brother-in-law Karen and Bob Gilliam, nephew Shawn and niece Teresa Gilliam, sister Kathleen Burley, cousin Helen Steckler, cousin James Doyle, cousin Joel Anderson, and godchild Julie Anderson Renner.
In lieu of flowers &/or gifts, the family wishes that you would consider making a donation to St John’s Academy school in Jamestown, ND, Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, &/or Jamestown Regional Medical Center Hospice.
Mass of Christ Burial – 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm, celebrant.
Prayer Service – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown.
Visitation – 4:00 p.m., to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 27 at the funeral home and one hour before the Mass at the church.
Burial – 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.