Gery William Donovan passed away on June 15th, 2020, in Troy, Michigan. Born on January 24th, 1961, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the proud son of Dennis and Yvonne Donovan. He grew up in Hixson, Tennessee, and was a standout scholar, athlete, and leader at Hixson High School. While in high school, Gery was a member of the Beta Club, Key Club, Spanish Club, and the Hixson High annual staff. He was also a wrestler and cross-country runner for the Wildcats, and the second of the Donovan children to attend West Point. His brother, Dennis, graduated with the West Point Class of 1978 and shared Gery’s interests in wrestling and Scouting – both were Eagle Scouts.

Given his stellar performance in high school, Gery received a nomination from Representative Marilyn Lloyd from Tennessee's 3rd congressional district to join the class of 1983 on R-Day. After scrambling post-Plebe year with the rest of his class, Gery landed in Company B-1 and became a Barbarian. Finding Gery calm and relaxed, the Barbarians warmly welcomed the Tennessean who brought his unique Southern charm to the barracks.

His good-natured smile and demeanor are what his company mates most remember about Gery. Wearing his Tactical Eye Devices, he could be found in the company area when he was not out taking photos for the Howitzer. Classmates universally found him calm and relaxed, “easygoing and easy-to-be-around," and probably "second only to Peyton Manning as a Tennessee Volunteers fan." According to Rich Powell, even when learning to ride a moped for the first time on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Gery was “an endless reservoir of passion and compassion.”

We fondly recall the "Peeper Sleeper" sleeping with his eyes slightly open. This made starting his engine in the morning difficult which made getting to formation on time an art form and SAMI preparations legendary. "Heart-racing" is how one company mate recalls Gery. But, when it came to time management, Peter Thimm, his Firstie roommate, allows that the even-tempered Gery “just got it done.”  Beyond his efficient use of the clock, we remember Gery seldom talking about himself, but instead focusing his energies on "being a decent guy and helping others when and where he could.”

Selfless service extended well beyond his friendships as Gery loyally served his country in the Army for seven years being honorably discharged shortly before Operation Desert Shield. Gery first served in Korea with 1-72 AR Bn ("First Tank") as Mortar Platoon Leader and later as an Armor Platoon Leader.

Interestingly, as an Armor officer assigned to Camp Casey, Korea, in 1984 and by this time a Captain and the 1stBrigade Assistant S-3 and Gunnery Officer for the brigade, Gery’s brother, Dennis, serendipitously found himself assigned alongside Gery in the 2ndInfantry Division (“2ID”). Dennis had the unique opportunity to serve as Gery’s evaluator on the all-important Tank Table VIII as Gery attempted to qualify his tank. Crawling all over his tank and playing the “tough-guy” evaluator since he was convinced that Gery really did not have a plebe year and was determined to right this wrong, Dennis enthusiastically looked for instances in which Gery was not meeting standards. Disappointed not to find much to “gig” his younger brother on, Dennis today allows that Gery and his platoon “were pretty squared away.”

After completing his assignment with 2ID in January of 1985, Gery PCS'ed to Fort Hood where he served in D Co 3-67 AR Bn as a Platoon Leader and Executive officer and later as the 3-67 AR Bn S-3 Air.  In June 1988 he was sent to the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox with subsequent assignment to the Directorate of Combat Developments where he served as the SME on all 105 and 120mm tank main gun ammunition. Finishing his military service at Fort Knox, Gery separated from the Army in May of 1990.

Gery’s post-Army pursuits were as varied as his cadet and Army activities. His many entrepreneurial ventures included medical practice consulting, real estate appraising and for the last ten years overland truck driving.  His sister Colleen recalls how difficult Gery was to keep up with because “he was always doing new and different things.” He reserved much of his energy, however, for his Scoutmaster duties. Perhaps the second greatest tribute he could receive, according to Dan Onkst, “[Gery] quietly and gently touched the lives of many young men in Troop 197.” The first? Joseph Donovan, Gery’s son, a member of Troop 197, became an Eagle Scout in 2012.

In addition to Joseph, Gery's daughter, Jackie M. Donovan, his fiancé, Debbie Steffen, his brothers, Dennis P. Donovan (’78) and James M. Donovan, and his sister, Colleen D. Carboni, will remember him fondly for his perpetually sunny mood, his gentleness of spirit, and his loyalty and generosity.

“The world and its desires will pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

– 1 John 2:17, NIV

“I will be forever thankful to have been on the same drill roll as GD.”

- Bob Traurig, B-1

"It was remarkable to me how he was always smiling and in a good mood. I can remember just feeling better being in his presence - it was reassuring - a quality that I'd guess made him a great leader during his military service.”

- Jeff Curl, B-1

“Gery was my roommate at West Point and a very dear friend. He was such a nice person. I will always keep the memories we shared close to my heart. “

- Joe Goetz, B-1