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1941
Jerome
2026
Jerome Donald Zaucha
April 11, 1941 — January 26, 2026
Savannah
Jerome Donald Zaucha of Savannah, GA, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026 at the age of 84.
Jerome, or Jerry to his friends, was born on April 11, 1941 in Minnesota, the fourth of seven children to parents Harry Zaucha and Bertha Stopek Zaucha. He graduated from high school in Chicago, IL in 1959 as an accomplished gymnast and wrestler.
Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1960 and rose to the rank of Corporal during his three years of active duty service, then earned his wings as an airline transport pilot while serving as a USMC reservist until 1966. Jerry proudly maintained a strong Marine Corps identity throughout his life. He collected memorabilia and organized frequent Marine Corps veteran activities.
Jerry was passionate about flying and clocked decades of flight time. Jerry flew many aircraft throughout his life, spending the majority of his career piloting Gulfstream jets before transitioning to the classroom as a Gulfstream master flight instructor. In the early 1980s, Jerry restored his own WWII-era ME-108 Taifun.
Jerry loved history, particularly the US Civil War. In the 1990's, Jerry painstakingly restored a historic 18th-century log cabin farmhouse in rural Virginia.
Always an entrepreneur, Jerry ran many businesses over the years including captaining a luxury charter boat service. He earned his commercial captain's license and entertained guests on his lovingly restored thirty-six foot S.S. Romantic Adventures.
Jerry never forgot his modest roots; Farming was in his blood. He maintained vegetable and flower gardens everywhere he lived. He shared his abundant crops with friends and neighbors, especially his massive tomatoes and wildflowers. Jerry also enjoyed raising free-range chickens, his "girls," and considered their eggs far superior to store-bought. He roasted his own peanuts and branded them "Jerry's Hot Nuts" complete with spicy packaging. He was a great farm-to-table cook and treated his friends and family to steak dinners as an expression of love and affection.
Jerry was always social and loved hosting parties. When he wasn't gardening or socializing, Jerry could be found volunteering at the USO helping servicepeople.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clifford, Alvin, and Ronald, and sister Frances Podeszwa.
Jerry is survived by his sisters Delores Weidel and Patricia Dost, daughter Amanda, sons Jeremy and Jedidiah, and grandchildren Ella and Jay.
No public services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the USO at USO.org or by telephoning (912) 966-2118.
Jerome, or Jerry to his friends, was born on April 11, 1941 in Minnesota, the fourth of seven children to parents Harry Zaucha and Bertha Stopek Zaucha. He graduated from high school in Chicago, IL in 1959 as an accomplished gymnast and wrestler.
Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1960 and rose to the rank of Corporal during his three years of active duty service, then earned his wings as an airline transport pilot while serving as a USMC reservist until 1966. Jerry proudly maintained a strong Marine Corps identity throughout his life. He collected memorabilia and organized frequent Marine Corps veteran activities.
Jerry was passionate about flying and clocked decades of flight time. Jerry flew many aircraft throughout his life, spending the majority of his career piloting Gulfstream jets before transitioning to the classroom as a Gulfstream master flight instructor. In the early 1980s, Jerry restored his own WWII-era ME-108 Taifun.
Jerry loved history, particularly the US Civil War. In the 1990's, Jerry painstakingly restored a historic 18th-century log cabin farmhouse in rural Virginia.
Always an entrepreneur, Jerry ran many businesses over the years including captaining a luxury charter boat service. He earned his commercial captain's license and entertained guests on his lovingly restored thirty-six foot S.S. Romantic Adventures.
Jerry never forgot his modest roots; Farming was in his blood. He maintained vegetable and flower gardens everywhere he lived. He shared his abundant crops with friends and neighbors, especially his massive tomatoes and wildflowers. Jerry also enjoyed raising free-range chickens, his "girls," and considered their eggs far superior to store-bought. He roasted his own peanuts and branded them "Jerry's Hot Nuts" complete with spicy packaging. He was a great farm-to-table cook and treated his friends and family to steak dinners as an expression of love and affection.
Jerry was always social and loved hosting parties. When he wasn't gardening or socializing, Jerry could be found volunteering at the USO helping servicepeople.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clifford, Alvin, and Ronald, and sister Frances Podeszwa.
Jerry is survived by his sisters Delores Weidel and Patricia Dost, daughter Amanda, sons Jeremy and Jedidiah, and grandchildren Ella and Jay.
No public services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the USO at USO.org or by telephoning (912) 966-2118.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerome Donald Zaucha, please visit our flower store.
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