Gerald "Jerry" Carl Palyash, 73, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born on November 1, 1952, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, to Stephen Frank Palyash and Amelia Estella Antoline. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as a Crew Chief working on McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms and later retired as a Staff Sergeant.  He continued his life and career in the aviation industry.  Hiring on with Learjet as an A&P Mechanic at Tucson, Arizona, he worked on business jets.  Later, he moved on to Garrett as an Aviation Maintenance Field Service Engineer (Technical Representative).  This is where he found his calling in life.  Garrett, which later transitioned into AlliedSignal, then Honeywell, provided him with the career he so much enjoyed, working on business jet engines.  This love of aviation allowed him to travel and live overseas in Paris, France.  After Paris, he and his family relocated to Wichita, Kansas, where he worked out of the Learjet factory, retiring in 2019 with 38 years of service.  Jerry also earned his bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has maintained his private pilot's license to the present day.

Jerry lived life with energy and enthusiasm. He had a deep love for anything that went fast—whether flying airplanes or driving his Corvette. Known for his ambition, generosity, and larger-than-life personality, he built lasting friendships everywhere he went and truly embraced every moment of life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Amelia Palyash.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda L. Palyash.  His siblings are Lois (Jim) Evans and Steve Jr. (Marsha) Palyash; his children, Neil (Monica) Palyash, Hannah (Shelby) Morrison, and Stacy (Judy) Dunkin; and his grandchildren, Lauren and Erin Palyash, Kael, Montana, and Maverick Morrison, and Thomas McKinney. He is also survived by his extended family and many dear friends.

He will be remembered for his love of life and his passion for cars and airplanes—always chasing the thrill of what came next.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 19th at 1:00 PM at Jerry's airplane hangar at Stearman Field, 1350 Aviator Lane, Benton, Kansas 67017. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kansas Honor Flight Network.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.