Gerald Sage

August 11, 1923 - April 9, 2019

Lakewood Ranch, FL – Gerald Edward Sage, 95, of Lakewood Ranch, FL, formerly of Topeka, KS, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Jerry was born August 11, 1923 in Topeka, son of the late John and Elizabeth (Cusick) Sage. Raised in Topeka he worked after school in the family owned Sage’s Drug Store. He graduated in the class of 1940 from Hayden High School where he was captain of the football and basketball teams. Jerry proudly served in the United States Army Air Corp, as Staff Sergeant, and was a Waist Gunner on the B-17 “The Duchesse” during World War II. His military awards and recognitions included; The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal, The WWII Victory Medal, The American Campaign Medal, and The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. After leaving the military, he went on to graduate from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in 1949. He then married the love of his life, the late Virginia Ann (Flynn) Sage at Holy Name Church. They were happily married for 56 years. He was predeceased by his sister Ruth Lambrech and her husband Peter. Jerry worked for 45 years for the John Morrell & Company. During his career, he and his family moved from Topeka to St Louis, MO, and then onto Ottumwa, IA, Sioux Falls, SD, Cincinnati, OH, and Chicago, IL, before retiring in Ponte Vedra, FL. Jerry was an avid golfer who earned a Hole-in-One at the Ponte Vedra Country Club. He was active in the Knights of Columbus, Volunteered at the Mayo Clinic, and was a member of the Jacksonville Navy League. Jerry also enjoyed hunting, bowling and travel, especially when attending the annual Sage Family Vacations with his entire family. His children were his pride and joy. He is survived by his son Lawrence Edward Sage, and his wife Kim of Topeka, his daughter Martha Ann (Sage) Kenney, and her husband John, of Marstons Mills, MA, his son Stephen Michael Sage, and his wife Cynthia of Lakewood Ranch, FL, his son John Patrick Sage of Erie, CO, and his 11 adoring grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Jerry was well known for his favorite toast, “If I never see’d ya, I never knowed ya, God bless ya.”