CWO4 Gerard R. "Jerry" Kessens, USN (Retired), of Fort Wayne, died Friday February 14, 2025 at the VA Regional Healthcare System (Hospital) in Marion; he was 87 years old.  Jerry was born in Fort Wayne on September 22, 1937, the son of the late Robert W. and Anna E. (Weber) Kessens. He graduated from Central Catholic High School with the Class of '55 and later that year Jerry began an illustrious military career that spanned 32 years of distinguished service in the US Navy. Jerry had developed an interest in photography at an early age. His experience and skills in photography allowed him to serve in the Navy as a photographer in still, motion picture and aerial reconnaissance photography, and within his first five years had visited all 7 continents, including numerous tours in Antarctica, where a mountain was named for him, "Kessens Peak". Jerry has seen the world through his camera lens. He has photographed dignitaries; United States Presidents and Vice-Presidents, Kings and Queens, high level military personnel, as well as the everyday persons and their activities aboard planes, aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines and even the Goodyear blimp. While assigned to the USS Kennedy, Jerry met and shook hands with Pope St. John Paul II, during a special audience with the crew.  Throughout his travels and assignments, Jerry had attended various colleges and universities, and ultimately earned his bachelors degree from Regents College at New York State University.  After retirement from the Navy, Jerry worked for many years with the National Parks Service, working at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the very place where during the War of 1812, Frances Scott Key was inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner. Jerry also worked at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park, which included one of the early buildings that actually housed the Wright Brother's workshop. Throughout his service in the US Navy and the Parks Dept, Jerry remained devout in his Catholic faith; he served as a lector and member of the Holy Name Society while stationed in New Orleans, later installed as a Eucharistic Minister while at the Naval Air Facility in Atsugi, Japan. Returning to Fort Wayne, Jerry returned to his home parish, St. Peter's. Jerry kept active by volunteering as a cameraman at Allen Co. Library's Public Access TV channel, as well as working with the local PBS affiliate, and also a photographer with Today's Catholic whenever needed. A full article outlining Jerry's life was published in Today's Catholic in 2018 and may be viewed by visiting:

https://todayscatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/11March182018.pdf .

Jerry is survived by his sister, Sr. Miriam Thomas Kessens, SSND of Milwaukee WI; brother, Thomas P. Kessens of Lafayette, and seven nieces & nephews. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by sisters, Rosanne Kessens and Mary Agnes Zoeller, and a brother, Philip Kessens. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am Saturday February 22, 2025 in St. Peter Catholic Church, 518 E. Dewald St. with visitation from 9-10am in the church. Visitation is also on Friday from 4-8pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. with the Rosary at 3:30pm. Jerry will be laid to rest in Catholic Cemetery with full military honors. To share a remembrance of Jerry or to offer condolences to his family, please visit DivineMercyFuneralHome.com.