Brinton Jerome (Jerry) Berwanger, a Christian, entered eternal life with God April 29, 2025. Jerry was born November 20, 1944, to Betty Florine Patrick and Walter Vineyard in Johnson City, TN, and named Claud Jerry Vineyard. He was adopted from Holston Home in Greeneville, TN, by E.C. and Beaty Yeater Berwanger. Jerry is predeceased by both biological and adoptive parents.

Jerry is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Barbara Howard Berwanger, who was his caregiver for six years. Their family includes two daughters: Beth Anne, who is married to Robert Gale Wagner, along with their children Brennan and Abigale; and Bambi Alaine Doss, and her child, Barlow. Additionally, Jerry is survived by his biological brother, William "Billy" Witt, whom he recently met. He cherished spending time with his extended family, including Carolyn Turbyfill, Vivian Howard, and niece and nephews, Jim, Rich, Jeff, Christie, and Chip.

Jerry was a veteran of the US Navy, serving aboard the USS Holland, a submarine tender. He was the Chaplain's assistant and sang in the Navy's Blue Jacket Choir.

Jerry contributed his time with Hamilton County Juvenile Court in Chattanooga to support teenagers, drawing from his personal experiences of childhood abuse. At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he assisted in scuba diving classes. He also taught boating safety and canoeing for Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. His daughters fondly recall their screams as they navigated white water with him at the helm. He would sarcastically reply, "That was South Chickamauga Creek."

At a beach retreat, Jerry used canoes and a ladder to assist Jesus to walk on water, and of course, Jesus arrived safely at candlelight worship. For eleven years, Jerry dedicated one Saturday a month to driving a church bus to transport local families to visit relatives in Nashville prisons. Over the years, his home church was wherever Barbara held a staff position, and he often drove church buses and vans loaded with mission trip supplies.

Jerry retired from the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga. Early retirement meant he was always on-call for his grandchildren, who called him Bop. Jerry was the family's meteorologist, and we will miss his faithful announcements of impending storms. For many years he collected paper maps and studied them often. His daughters said he always had to know where in the world he was.

Jerry faced the challenges of Multiple System Atrophy, a rare and incurable neurological disease, with great determination. MSA is now defeated, and Jerry is at peace because of his faith in Jesus. A graveside service with the family is scheduled.

If you choose to memorialize Jerry's life, consider a donation to the Food Pantry at Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church, P.O. Box 126, Chickamauga, GA 30707.

Please share your memories and express condolences to the family on their guestbook.