Jerome D. Hires, 76, of Junction City, Kansas passed away on August 22, 2024, at Stormont-Vail Healthcare Topeka, Kansas.
Jerome was born on December 18, 1947, to Benjamin Frank Hires Jr. and Daisy Belle Philpot in Live Oak, Florida. Growing up with four siblings in Tampa, Florida, allowed him to realize the importance of family. He graduated from Middleton Senior High in 1966. After graduation, he enlisted into the U.S. Army in the year 1966, at Jacksonville, Florida. Jerome served his country honorably until his retirement in 1990, while stationed on Fort Riley, Kansas. Jerome served three combat tours in Vietnam. He was very proud of his military service and continued to serve his country after retirement by working with D.P.W. on Fort Riley, retiring a second time in 2010.
His family and friends knew him as a devoted father and caring person. Being family oriented was very special to him. This allowed him to spend his free time with his children, grandchildren, and his extended family. Fishing was one of his favorite past-times. Some of his fishing holes would be Moon Lake, Breakneck Lake, and of course Milford Lake. Talented not only in fishing, but also in art and cooking as well. He made many family holiday dinners from scratch which will be remembered by his family. Some of his famous dishes to prepare was his Mac n Cheese, Collard Greens, Dirty Rice, and Deep Fried Turkey.
Jerome is survived by his loving daughters, Jessica (Esmond) Davis of Fort Knox, Kentucky and Erica (Ollie) Brown of Junction City, Kansas; two siblings, JoeAnn Streeter of Peachtree City, Georgia and Willie Earl Hires of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Julius E. Russell, Tavon "Bun" Brown, Navonte Brown, and Lennox Davis; his friend and former spouse, Carol Hires of Junction City, Kansas. Jerome was preceded in death by his loving parents; two siblings, Benjamin F. Hires III and Hazel Gordon.
A visitation will take place at Johnson and Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. followed by an interment at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery with full military honors conducted by Fort Riley Military Honor Team.
Jerome's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.