Gerald Lee Brothers, 77, of Rapid City, died on Friday, February 23, 2018.

Gerald was born on March 17, 1940, in Lead, South Dakota  to Clayton and Catherine (Merow) Brothers.  He graduated from Spearfish HS in 1958 and then enlisted in the Navy.  He retired with 28 years of service as a Chief Petty Officer.  His assignments included tours in Japan, Hawaii and California.

After being away for many years, he moved back to South Dakota in the late 1990's to assist in caring for his mother, who lived in Spearfish, and to pursue a degree in Computer Information Systems at NAU.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2001.  On October 6 of that same year, he married Judy Moore.

Gerald loved words and was particularly good at writing technical, instructive directives for the Navy and, in his later years, for model railroad hobby magazines.  He was an avid model railroader from a young age and had several articles and two cover photos for the Traction Models magazine.  Family was of paramount interest to him.  He strived to be the best son, husband, father and grandfather that he could be. He was very proud of his daughter and granddaughters and their accomplishments.  He had a wacky sense of humor and particularly loved puns.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Setsuko Brothers; and his sister, Jeanette Senn.  Grateful for having shared his life are his beloved wife, Judy; his daughter, Pamela (Doug) Gwynn; granddaughters Katherine and Natalie Gwynn, and five siblings, Walter (Darlene) Brothers, Judy Blair, Eileen Landers, Toni (Norman) Wiederich, and Patty (Ron) Ragsdale.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 1, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 602 Auburn Dr., (on Haines Avenue north of Lowes.)  The Reverend Jonathan Steiner will officiate.