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Jerry Ransdell, 65, was one of the youngest members of the Roadrunner Family.
Losing him comes as a surprise, shocking all of us who knew Jerry from when he worked with us as an employee of Minneapolis Honeywell at Area 51 during Project Oxcart. During Operation Blackshield, Jerry made two 3-month tours to Kadena, always remembering them as the most exciting time of his life. Jerry left behind a large number of friends, family, and loved ones who will miss him greatly. Jerry was a father, husband, and good friend who always had a kind word or a good joke to keep spirits high and cheer soaring. He led a full life, however left us too soon at the age of 65. Services will be held October 7, 2006 at the St. Helens Church, 5510 W. Cholla, Glendale, AZ 85304. A Rosary will be held at 7:30 AM followed by a mass at 0830 hours. 
Jerry is survived by his wife of 35 years, Elaine and his son, David.
The family asks that in Lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so can make a contribution to a charity of their choice. A paver bearing Jerry's name will be placed by his Roadrunner family at the Blackbird Air Park in Palmdale, California.
In 1971 Jerry and Elaine were married while he was working for Honeywell at Vandenberg AFB on the Minuteman missile guidance system. In the spring of 1976, after five years in the factory, and the birth of David, age 1 1/2, Honeywell sent Jerry to West Germany as an admin type for a group of about 15 guys working on an Air Force contract, training the troops to use some automated NATO communications equipment. They were there three of the next four years and ended up back in Clearwater. In September of 1980 they were assigned back to Elaine's native Phoenix where Jerry worked with the State of
Arizona Dept. of Commerce for a while before joining a house developer where he worked until retiring. Elaine was the Human Resources Manager for a national electrical supply house called Graybar Electric for over 20 years until also retiring. Jerry was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.
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