Gerald R. Holsclaw, Sr., 94, of Carson City, Nev., passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 25, 2012. He was born on Jan.17, 1918, in Otis, Colo., to Clinton Vane and Laura Reed Holsclaw.
He attended Chaffey College and the University of Washington and received his bachelor of arts degree in International Relations at USC.
He served with distinction in the United States Air Force for 30 years, retiring as a Colonel. As Chief of Special Projects at Randolph Field, Texas, he established the instrument training program at Lubbock AAFB, B-29 transition at Randolph AAFB and B-32 transition training at Tarrant AAFB. In 1948 he joined the U.S. Military Advisory Group in Nanking, China. Upon evacuation of the Chinese mainland at year’s end he was transferred to FEAF Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, under General Douglas McArthur. During the Korean War he was the 8th Fighter Bomber Group Executive. Among his honors and decorations are the Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal with three battle stars, National Defense Service Medal, and Joint Services Commendation Medal from the Department of Defense.
After retirement, he spent many happy years in Idyllwild, was active in the Associates of Idyllwild Arts, started the Idyllwild Disaster Preparedness Program and served on the Idyllwild Water District Board of Directors.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy; son, Jerry Jr. and daughter-in-law, Susan, of Carson City, Nev.; son, Douglas and daughter-in-law, Lori, Oertley of Eureka, Calif; daughter, Susan Holsclaw of Long Beach, Calif.; grandsons, Kurt (Jill) Holsclaw of Reno, Nev., Ben (Cathi) Holsclaw of Sparks, Nev., and four great-grandchildren.
His family gathered for a small memorial service, and his ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.