Gerald "Jerry" Joe Kilgore

Gerald Joe Kilgore (Jerry), a resident of Karşıyaka, Izmir, Turkey, died in Cascade, Iowa, on August 6, 2025, from advanced Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by his children at the time of his passing. Jerry was 82 years old.

Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Jerry spent his early years in both Oklahoma and Low Gap, Arkansas. Childhood pictures show him shirtless in overalls, the innocent smirk on his mischievous face telling you all you needed to know. Family lore remembers the day he nearly gave his grandmother a heart attack by stuffing the family cat into the flour bin.

The family soon moved to Kansas City, because as Grandma Jo famously said, “Arkansas says ‘Land of Opportunity’ on their license plate. Land of opportunity, my ass—opportunity to work your ass off or starve to death!”

After graduating from North Kansas City High School, Jerry attended the University of Central Missouri, where he earned a master’s degree in history.

Throughout his education, he worked various jobs—as a postman, on the railroad, and as a photographer and reporter. As a young man, he became a pool shark while working as a fireman. He protected the friendly skies as an air marshal. He once jogged alongside Jimmy Carter while working as a state security agent.

Jerry spent the majority of his career ensuring the safety of U.S. embassies and dignitaries abroad while serving in the Foreign Service. His assignments took him to Washington, D.C.; Tel Aviv, Israel; Bangkok, Thailand; Ankara, Turkey; and Berlin, Germany. After retiring, he was asked to consult on the construction of the U.S. Embassy in the former Soviet republic of Tbilisi, Georgia.

Jerry was married to Hülya Kilgore, who passed away on October 4, 2024. At the time of her death, they had been married for 43 years. Hülya, a secretary for the Foreign Service, was posted alongside Jerry for much of their careers. After retiring, Jerry became a dual resident of the United States and Turkey.

Jerry loved history, the latest technology, and watermelon. He also loved Judge Judy (none of us could figure that one out) and visiting historical sites. He claimed to love the great outdoors—but survey says he was more of a glamper. He could drive like Mario Andretti (and often did, even off-road), and he could assess a geopolitical situation at a glance but couldn’t change a showerhead. His storytelling was so captivating that teenagers reportedly forgot to look at their phones in his presence. Jerry found God later in life and was baptized at Hope United Methodist Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado, in 2018.

Jerry leaves behind his sister, Gayla Kilgore; his children, Laura Hall, Dan Kilgore, and Liz Regenold; and his grandchildren, Mikaela Hall, Connor Hall, Ryan Hall, Alex Regenold, Amelia Regenold, and William Regenold.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Dubuque and Accura Healthcare of Cascade for their exceptional care, support, and kindness during this difficult time