Gerald John Markowich

Gerald "Jerry" John Markowich passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026 in Bryan, TX at the age of 91. At his side were his wife, Mary, and daughter, Lori.

Jerry was born on January 9, 1935, in Milwaukee, WI to John (Jack) Jacob Markowich and Mary (Ifkovitz) Markowich. He was the eldest of five children, growing up alongside his siblings, David William and Harry Marvin, Jacqueline Merry and Mary Margaret.

During his childhood, Jerry's family moved from Milwaukee to Los Angeles and Burbank, California, then to Michigan, where he graduated from George N. Bentley High School in Livonia. Following high school, Jerry proudly served his country in the United States Army for three years mainly at Ft. Meade, MD and Bamburg, Germany during the Korean War era.

After completing his military service, Jerry worked in the body department at the General Motors Fisher Body Plant in Detroit. During this time he met and married Mary Jane Madery and they had two children, Lori Jean and Craig Gerald. Continuing to work while attending evening classes at Wayne State University he came within two economics courses of completing his bachelor's degree. His strong work ethic and determination would become the foundation of a successful professional career in advertising. Jerry began that career at J. Walter Thompson Advertising in the mailroom and steadily advanced to become an account executive on the Ford account. His work led him and his family across the country to Dallas. While there he and Mary Jane divorced and a year later she was killed in an automobile accident. He continued advancing in his career moving to New Orleans then Los Angeles. At this point he met and married Mary Adele Evans and together with Lori and Craig they moved to Chicago, then Ft. Lauderdale where Jamie Lynn was born, then Ft. Lauderdale, New York, Houston, Austin and finally College Station,TX where he retired.

Retirement allowed Jerry to devote himself to one of his greatest passions: genealogy. As an active member of the Texas Research Ramblers, he became a respected leader of the Family History Computer Group, generously sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with others. Jerry and Mary also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, taking countless road trips together. Along the way, he captured thousands of photographs, preserving memories of the places they visited and the experiences they shared.

Jerry had a lifelong fascination with cars and trucks. Friends and family were continually amazed by his ability to identify the make, model, and year of nearly any vehicle from the early 1900s through the 1990s simply by looking at a photograph.

A lifelong Lutheran, Jerry's faith was the cornerstone of his life. He was baptized at home in Milwaukee alongside his brothers in 1941. Over the years, he sang in church choirs, led Luther League, attended Camp Yolijwa (Youth Living Jesus' W ay) in California as both a camper and later an assistant to the cooks, and remained deeply involved in his church communities. Most recently, he was an active member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, where he served on the Call Committee that helped bring a new pastor to the congregation.

Above all, Jerry loved his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Adele (Evans) Markowich; his daughter, Lori Jean Grimes and her husband, Richard Grimes, of College Station, Texas; and his son, Craig Gerald Markowich, of Palm Harbor, Florida; and his sister Mary Margaret Ortwine, of Fraser, MI.

He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Caroline Rachel (Grimes) Sturm and her husband, Major David Raymond Sturm, and their children, Penelope Jean Sturm and Theodore David Sturm; Mitchell Jacob Grimes; Hunter William Markowich; Claudia Ursula Markowich; Olivia Mary Markowich; and Garnette Lee Adele McElfresh.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, John (Jack) Jacob and Mary (Ifkovitz) Markowich; his brothers, David William and Harry Marvin Markowich; his sister, Jacqueline Merry Markowich; and his daughter, Jamie Lynn Markowich McElfresh.

Jerry will be remembered for his steadfast faith, unwavering devotion to his family, generous spirit, and the kindness he extended to those around him. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friends whose lives he touched, and the countless memories he created throughout a life well lived.

A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor and celebrate Jerry's life.