I just learned today of the death of the General.  He and his wife Cookie were absolutely wonderful. I have a beautiful note from Sir Jerry he penned upon the passing of my husband, commander of the army on Okinawa under the Generals USArmy Japan/IX Corps  command. Cookie attended the Arlington National  Cemetery  burial. The Spokane, Washington native was a treasure.  RIP Sir Jerry.

It was June 1992 and I was a student at the State Dept Japanese language school in Yokohama at the end of a 4 year journey to become a FAO when I received a call to interview to be the Aide to the new CG of US Army Japan. The call was expected. Army officers at the school were the main pool for the position. The truth was I didn't want the job. 
I went to the interview in civilian clothes, my work "uniform," to give a bad first impression. I told him, "Sir, I want you to know that I do not want this position nor did I request this interview." I told him how I would "lose" the final 6 months of my long odyssey to become a FAO including independent study trips around East Asia, trips I had long planned. I didn't tell him the real reason, that I had long ago decided never to take a job as an aide because I thought it was rather demeaning to be at the beck and call of one person. I was naive and selfish, not realizing that enabling a key leader is one of the best ways to serve. 
He smiled and acknowledged my words and proceeded as if nothing had happened. We talked about my background and aspirations, how he saw his job, and what he would expect from his aide. I came home and told my amused wife how it went. She had no exposure to the military when she married me only 6 months earlier. He called that evening and said, without giving reasons, that he chose me. I froze for a moment and simply said, "Thank you, sir. I promise to do my best." I had a week to move, hardly knowing what to expect. A general officer's world was mysterious and unimaginable. He never told me why he chose me and I didn't ask, but I realized from day one how much I had lucked out. When I think of him I am overwhelmed by memories of our adventures in our year together. I will treasure the memory of that interview and of his wisdom, common sense, mentorship, and above all, his kindness and generosity. A farewell to a wise and simple soldier who changed my life.
COL Jiyul Kim
USA Retired

I worked as a civilian electronics engineer at C3I Directorate in CACDA at Fort Leavenworth. I remember then Colonel Granrud as a smart and capable leader. I extend my condolences to his family.

I was thinking about LTG Granrud  as I served with him when he commanded the 210th FA Bde at Herzo base Germany. I knew him as a Colonel and he made his first star when I left in 1984. He was a great leader and was a stickler for good training. I am sorry to hear of his recent passing and that he Rest In Peace. He was one great soldier. MSG (ret) Brad Cooper

This is Jerry's son, Erik.  If anyone posting on the page would like further info (service dates, etc) please email me at jetpylet@protonmail.com

Thanks to everyone for your very kind comments.

I Remember like it was yesterday when I arrived at the 210th FA BDE in 1981. I was 19 years old, I worked in the HQ itself and saw The Colonel Everyday and he taught me so much and made me a Better Soldier for serving under his command. When My son was Born in 1982 In Nuremberg Army Hospital I Remember so well Msg Grady Mims told me to report the Colonels office I was NEVER so Scared but when I Reported to him he Congratulated me on the Birth of my Son Anthony D. Ford. He said my son will grow up and be a Good person like me, Well I must say my Son Anthony choose a path of law Enforcement and to this Day he is in law enforcement. Sir Thank you for all that you did for me Professionally & personal advice SIR. Until we me again Sir you will ALWAYS be “ Controlling the Best”. May God bless you and may you Rest in the House of the Lord.

It is with great sadness to learn this news.  On behalf of The Ott Family, we send our heartfelt wishes of peace to the entire Granrud family.  It's been 35 years, but seems like yesterday.  

Dana

I was extremely fortunate to serve as  the General’s (then Colonel) driver from September 1981, when I arrived at Herzo Artillery Base, Germany,  as a green buck private, until I PCS’d to Ft. Lewis in February 1983. What an honor it was to be selected as the driver of the 210th Field Artillery Brigade Commander. I will NEVER forget so many wise things he said to me over the course of 18 months driving around the country. But most of all I’ll never forget that he saw something in me and afforded me the opportunity to perhaps attend West Point Prep for a year, and then on to West Point. I, as a then 18 year old, respectfully declined, and went on to a law enforcement career. 

Thank you, sir, for everything you did for me and taught me at such an impressionable time in my life. 

Dan Mourning, Sr.
Vineland, NJ

I would like to send my deepest Sympathy to the Granrud Family. It was truly an honor working with the General, and the family back in Japan. Sir, you took me up under your wing and taught me how to be and upright soilder and Golfer. Thanks for the memories.  On behalf of the Tucker, family we Pray for Comfort to the Family.  Robert A. Tucker US. Army Retired. 

Jerry was a dear friend, advisor, and mentor for almost two decades.  He was one of the wisest, most thoughtful people I have had the privilege to know in my life.  

If Britta or one of his family members can let me know where he was put to rest I would like to visit and say goodbye.

Peace to you dear Jerry,
Alan Stillman

Copied this photo of Jerome from the 1955 Hickman High School year book showing his senior class photo.  A handsome lad he was.

I remember when Jerry showed up in the high school class ahead of me, and how quickly he fell in with the cool guys.  A few years ago I saw a letter he had written to the Missouri Alumni magazine where his signature revealed his rank.  My goodness, I had never known a general officer before let alone 3 stars! So I decided to write him a letter congratulating him on his success.  I received a wonderful letter in return, reminded me that we had been commissioned in the same class, and explaining how circumstances had kept him out of school for a year thus putting us together in the class of 1960.  Knowing that I lived near Seattle, he mentioned that when he was a lieutenant he commanded a Nike missile battery on Bainbridge Island across the water from Seattle.  It was a chatty and informative letter, and it made my day.  I’ve been talking about my friend, General Granrud, ever since.

Jerome was a year ahead of me at Hickman High School in Columbia Missouri.  I didn't know him real well but knew who he was a that he was a good athlete and a true leader and a thoughtful person.  Just recently I did a search for Jerome as I had heard he was a general officer in the Army.  I was please to see that he had made it to the rank of Lieutenant General which is a great accomplishment.  My he rest in eternal peace having done it well.

Dave Kennedy
Lieutenant Colonel, USA , Retired

  The sense of finality has held me back but I would now like to share.   He was a great brother to me. I do not remember ever having an argument or tense moment between us and we were roommates  until he went to university. It was difficult some times following him through the grades as he set a high  standard.  The teachers  always remarked  that they hoped I was as good a student as Jerome had been.  Their disappointment faded quickly.  But the teachers were right as he was always  in the top of his class, a member of the National   Honor Society the Key Club and gathered many other awards/honors.  This was a pattern of his whole life as evident of his accomplishments. You would never know any of this from him.  He was a humble man.
  During one of his summer breaks from university we drove an old British car from the south of France up thru the low lands of Belgium and the Netherlands  and thru Scandinavia. He spoke German so he handled all the negotiations.  We camped out mostly but stayed in hotels in the major cities; Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, where we looked for our Viking roots.  We didn't find them.  It was a great memory we shared and spoke of in later years.  He was a happy man.
  As we aged he was the one to keep the family tied with his frequent phone calls to see how each of us was fairing and to offer help if needed or advice if asked. When I was ill he checked with me every week to monitor my progress. He was kind man.
  I am glad that he was able to know my family and got to have a relationship with my son, his wife and my grandsons. He spoke fondly of them and attended graduations, birthdays and many holidays with them.  He was a thoughtful man.
  I miss him very much. He was a consummate man.
.
 

Jerome Granrud

I’ve always considered my uncle Jerome “Jerry” a great man. He was a 3-star General in the Army and fought for our country and my freedom in 2 wars, yet I had never heard him brag about his position. His dedication and devotion to his wife, family and country stood out to me. I got to know him better after spending time with him working on home projects together, getting together with him and aunt Cookie during the holidays or just for a weekend bbq.  He would borrow my truck from time to time when he had something heavy to move and never seemed to slow down even as he got older. He also enjoyed hanging out, having a beer and watching my kids or his grand-daughter play. He was a gracious and happy guy.

Jerry always had a good story to tell that usually started with “Interesting story about that”.  I remember one time we were looking at the bamboo in my backyard and he said: “An interesting thing about bamboo is that it all dies back at one time and then flowers every so often.” He said that he learned this when he was in Japan where there is a lot of bamboo. That surprised me because I have lived at my house with a big area of bamboo for 25 years, and it had never happened. Well, this year it all died and little flowers came up. I wish that he was here so I could tell him about it.

Brigade commander of 210th FA Brigade when I commanded the 2d Battalion 28th Field Artillery under his command.  No one ever had a more competent or inspirational leader.  I never doubted that he had my back.

OBITUARY

Jerome Halvor Granrud

April 10, 1937 – March 18, 2020

Demaine Funeral Home

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