Jerry Daniel Maatta passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the age of 80, at home in Rockledge, Florida, where he fell in love with the state, as he enjoyed the rest of his retirement. He was born in Hancock, Michigan on December 23, 1944, to Thomas John and Elda Maria Maatta. During his life he had a battle of sicknesses; diabetes, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, as well as Agent Orange exposure while serving in the Navy on the ship USS ISLE ROYALE, that caused him to have service-related illnesses.

Jerry graduated from Jeffers High School in Michigan. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1964 until April 1967. He served as a Radio Mechanic during his tenure and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal. On October 5, 1992, he was awarded the GAMMA OMICRON Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. On May 16. 2003, he received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Secretary of Defense where he served with the Business Management Modernization Program in developing the Defense-wide Business enterprise Architecture and Transition Plan, which was the most complex architecture ever developed by either public or the private sector. He taught an Activity-Based Costing Class at the Air Force Personnel Center, Washington D C. up to October 27, 2003. He finally was awarded a Certificate of Service from the Air Force as a civilian, after working and retiring from the Pentagon in 2004. Only a few avenues of his educational path, success, accolades and awards, to be proud of, have been mentioned.

Jerry was gifted with an unusual sense of humor. While in college, he wrote a dissertation on Laughter. He also had a knack for catching someone off guard, then said something comical that would brighten up their day. He would then say his famous words, “You mean what I know!” or “Catch you in the wind!” He would do this regardless of how he was feeling, at that time. Amazing Man! Jerry had the zest to live a normal life. He was highly educated, traveled the world, played the guitar, sang and wrote unpublished lyrics.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Elda (Hirvi) and Thomas Maatta. He is survived by his wife Edith Noreen Maatta and his two sons Bert Ian-(daughter-in-law Jessica, and granddaughter, Maria), Peter Allen-(daughter-in-law Laura) by his former spouse, Susan Teston and his sister, Sharon Juntunen. Jerry will be missed tremendously by all who knew him.

Memorial Service will be held in the Community Women’s Club, 5 Rosa Blvd., Cocoa, Fl. 32922 at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Family will conduct a private burial ceremony at the Cape Canaveral, Veterans Cemetery on another date and time.