Obituary of CW5 Jerry Standridge

CW5 Jerry L. Standridge, United States Army, Retired, ascended to Heaven, soaring on the wings of eagles on Thursday, 9 March 2023 after an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. A Celebration of his Life will be held at 3:00 PM, Thursday, 16 March 2023, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with full military honors to follow. The family will receive friends and family at 2:00 PM, before the Celebration of his Life. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. Jerry was born on 30 September 1956 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Ann Marie and William Standridge. Due to his Dad’s military service, the family moved to Pensacola, Florida, where Jerry lived until he joined the United States Army on 1 May 1974. After attending the Army’s School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, his first duty assignment was a saxophonist with the 98th Army Band, Fort Rucker, Alabama. During his time with the 98th, Jerry met the love of his life, Diane Baker, who is a native of Ozark, Alabama and was a third grade teacher at Mixon Elementary School in Ozark. Diane and Jerry were married on 19 November 1979 in the Chapel of the Flags on Fort Rucker and were married for 45 years, 3 months, and 18 days. In 1979 Jerry and Diane moved to Ansbach, Germany for Jerry to be a member of the 1st Armed Division Band. After three months in country they welcomed a son, Jason Robert, born in Nürnberg, Germany. In June of 1982, the family moved to Virginia Beach for Jerry’s year of schooling at the Army’s School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. On 1 July 1983, Jerry was one of only two candidates that graduated, became an Army Bandmaster, obtained the rank of WO1, and was the beginning of being called Chief. The family next move was to Fort Riley, Kansas, where Jerry became the Bandmaster of the Big Red 1 Band, 1st Infantry Division. In August of 1987, the family returned to Germany to Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart for Jerry to direct the 7th Corps Band. From here, Chief and the band deployed to Saudia Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. Further assignments included 101st Airborne Division Band (Screaming Eagles) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 389th Army Band at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and his final assignment was as The Directorate of Training and Development for Army Bands, Fort Story, Virginia. With 22 years and 7 months as a Bandmaster, Jerry retired on 6 February 2006, with nearly 32 years of service to his country. Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbon awarded or authorized to CW5 Standridge: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (3rd award), German Army Marksmanship Badge (Bronze), Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star (3rd award), Officer Professional Development Ribbon (4th award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), Ku-Lib Medal from Saudi Arabia, Ku-Lib Medal from Kuwait, Air Assault Badge, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Jerry took advantage of the Army’s educational opportunities by graduating from Kansas State University, The State University of New York, and the University of Maryland University College with a Masters Degree in Human Resources. Jerry’s professional life following the Army included Human Resources Manager for Spartan Staffing in Virginia Beach; Human Resources Manager for HOPE in Hayes, Virginia; Substitute Teacher for all grades with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools; and Military Analyst II at DOTMLPFE, Inc., writing and updating lesson plans for the Army School of Music. Among those preceding Jerry in death were his parents, brother Ernie Standridge, brother-in-law Don Crutchfied, Uncles Jack and Albert Long, in-laws Nell and Charlie Baker, and a grandniece, Mary Parker Logan. Among survivors are his wife Diane of Ozark; son Jason of Virginia Beach, Virginia; sister Darlene Crutchfield of Pensacola, Florida; Uncle and Aunt Raymond and Willie Nell Long of Athens, Tennessee; Brother-in law and Sister-in-law Robert (Bobby) and Connie Baker of Ozark; Nieces Danielle Baker, Lauren Logan, and Katie Baker all of Ozark; Nephews Brian Baker and Michael Logan also of Ozark; Great-Nieces Hollie Baker, Natalie Baker, and Mary Phillips Logan, of Ozark; Great-Nephews Luke Logan, Gavin Baker, and Will Logan, of Ozark; several Tennessee Cousins; and his Furry Child Tre. Flowers will be accepted or Memorials may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Post Office Box 5014, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741.