Jerome Stanley Wilkowski

Jerome Stanley “Ski” Wilkowski, age 82, went to be with his Savior on January 29, 2026. Born in Astoria, New York, he was the son of Stanley Jerome Wilkowski and Jean Hajduk. A gifted athlete, he played baseball and speed-skated in Central Park. After graduating from Brooklyn Tech, he was the first person in his family to attend college and earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he majored in political science, played water polo, and was a distinguished graduate of the Class of 1965, USAFA’s sixth graduating class. He met the love of his life, Marcia Sue “Suzie” Baumgartner of Bemidji, Minnesota while he was a cadet and they married on August 13, 1966.

Jerry’s first assignment was Clark Air Base, Philippines, where he flew combat missions in the C-130 in Vietnam and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Their first child, Eric Todd, was born there. Jerry and Suzie traveled throughout Southeast Asia and developed a lifelong love of travel and adventure. Their next two children, Christopher Scott “Kip” and Courtney Anne, were born at his next assignment in Sacramento, California. Jerry earned his master’s at Notre Dame and subsequently trained as an Intelligence Officer in Denver—where their fourth child, Stephanie Erin, was born, The family spent five cherished years in Panama, which he often recalled as the greatest period of his life, because of the incredible memories made with his family, especially fishing in Gatun Lake and in the Pacific Ocean on their boat. After Panama, he trained on the F-4 Phantom in Tampa and served a year in the 80th Fighter Squadron in Kunsan, Korea. The family moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where he flew the F-4 for two years. The family moved to Vienna, Virginia in 1982 where Jerry finished his distinguished Air Force career at the Pentagon. After retiring from the military, Jerome worked as a Capture Manager in the D.C. area.

Jerry was a faithful member of St. Mark Catholic Church for over 40 years where he served as a lecturer and was active in the 11:45 choir. He was often the one to start the clapping during the final hymn with his signature 3 clap beat. He was also an active member of The Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Mount Tabor Community.

Jerry’s enduring legacy will be his dedication to family, faith, and friendship, his generosity and hospitality and sense of adventure. Friends and family fondly recall Jerry and Suzie as graceful dancers and often the first (and last) on the dance floor at weddings and family celebrations. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 46 years, Marcia Sue, his parents, Stanley Jerome and Jean, and his granddaughter, Anna Therese Diederich. He is survived by his children: Todd (Heather) and their children Jack, Mollie, Nick, and Ben; Kip (Julia) and their children Sebastian and Emilia; Courtney (Alex) and their children Mary, John, Lizzie, Nicholas, Joseph, Justin and Thomas; and Stephanie (Nick) and their children Bella, Gabby, Julia, and Jimmy. He had one great grandson Michael Diederich (John and Rachel Diederich) with another to be born in April. He is also survived by his beloved sister Karen (Bob), his sisters-in-law: Shelley (Steve), Mary Beth (Stan), and Robyn Lynn (Jim), along with 16 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Young Life at https://giving.younglife.org/s/ (please designate gift to Richard Beckwith, Director of Discipleship D132) or send checks to Young Life c/o Rick Beckwith, 3625 Beech Down Dr. Chantilly, VA 20151 or Youth Apostles https://www.youthapostles.org/ or Youth Apostles Institute c/o Father Jack Peterson, 1600 Carlin Ln. McLean, VA, 22101, two men he admired and ministries he loved, both which had a profound positive impact on his family.