12.16.24 Celebration of Life Scheduled for Captain Gerald A. Fulk, USN (Ret)

Captain Gerald A. Fulk, USN (Ret.)

November 2, 1934 - November 15, 2024

Bonita, California

Captain Gerald A. Fulk, (Jerry) passed away peacefully at home on November 15, 2024. While his death was very sudden, his family is blessed with memories of his wonderful 90th birthday celebration just two weeks before.

Jerry grew up in Decatur, Illinois and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. While a midshipman there, and on a triple blind date, Jerry met the love of his life, Carol Marie Vanderbilt, a student at Catholic University. Carol and Jerry’s love story spanned 64 years until Carol’s passing in 2018.

Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Jerry’s 30-year Naval career included at sea command of the cruiser USS Jouett, destroyer USS Parsons, and as Commander, Destroyer Squadron Three in San Diego. Shore assignments included command of the Naval Ships Weapons Engineering Station and the Pacific Branch of the Board of Inspection and Survey. His service involved multiple tours to Vietnam while assigned to USS Long Beach, USS Walke and USS Bainbridge. Ashore assignments included the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon, the Naval Post Graduate School, and nuclear power research at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

Jerry’s love of the Navy was evident in his strong bonds with his 1956 Naval Academy class group, assistance with local Navy recruiting and continued frequent visits to the United States Naval Academy, including September 2024. Jerry’s significant performance with the Navy was acknowledged with the awarding of the Legion of Merit medal with a gold star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal, along with several area service medals including wartime Vietnam.

Upon Jerry’s retirement in 1986, he and Carol moved to their home in Bonita, CA where they both lived for the remainder of their lives. They also set out to travel the world, visiting all seven continents. Jerry’s ties to the local community and organizations including the Bonita Optimist Club and Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, will long be remembered. Jerry’s unwavering focus on giving back and supporting others was a resounding element of the way in which he lived every single day.

His family was the light of his life and joyous gatherings at Carol and Jerry’s family home with his daughter Kathleen, son John, son Michael (deceased), four grandchildren- Brittany, Nicole, William, and Jennifer, and four great-grandchildren—Mila, Ryder, Mia and Everly—took place frequently.

Jerry’s life and ever-present faith in God will be celebrated on Monday December 16, 2024, at 12:00 noon- Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Chula Vista, CA with Military interment at Miramar National Cemetery, Tuesday December 17, 2024, at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, which funds advanced educational opportunities.

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | December 8, 2024 | Life Tributes