Gerald “Jerry” Robert Magliano, 84, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 54 years, Maria “Rory” Magliano; his children Anthony Magliano (Christen Edwards), Michael Magliano, and Lisa Markley (Jim Markley); beloved grandchildren Evan and Lilah Markley; sister Cynthia DeJong (Dr. John DeJong); brother George Magliano (Pat Schaffert); and many extended family and friends.
Born in Hackensack, New Jersey in 1940, Jerry grew up in Hasbrouck Heights as the oldest of four children of Anthony and Rose Magliano. He was a supportive big brother to Cynthia and George and carried the memory of their youngest sister, Rosemarie, who died in infancy, throughout his life. His siblings lovingly described him as studious, independent, and true—qualities that defined his character from a young age. Later in life, Jerry became the proud patriarch of the Magliano family, offering strength, guidance, and a deep sense of tradition to all those he loved.
He attended Corpus Christi Catholic School and later St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, a Jesuit high school that shaped his intellect and values. There, he played on the 1958 undefeated state championship baseball team and often said his years at “the Prep” were among the most formative of his life.
Jerry earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit, where he completed a cooperative education program with Ford Motor Company. While in college, he also trained through the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation.
Over a 20-year career in the United States Marine Corps, Jerry served with honor and distinction, including two tours in Vietnam and leadership roles throughout the U.S. and abroad. In 1965, before the official start of the Vietnam War, he was commissioned on a top-secret mission to deploy with Bravo Battery to Da Nang, where he helped establish ground-to-air missile defense on Hill 327 and train friendly Vietnamese forces. His final assignment brought him to the Marine Corps Finance Center in Kansas City, where he retired in 1983 with the rank of Major, serving as Head of the Consolidated Disbursing Office.
It was during his assignment at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas in the late 1960s that Jerry met the love of his life, Maria “Rory” Delgado. They were married on May 22, 1971, at St. Michael’s Chapel on Fort Bliss and soon after settled in Mission Viejo, California, where they began raising their family. In 1978, Rory and the children returned to El Paso to be near her family while Jerry completed a yearlong unaccompanied tour in Okinawa, Japan. Throughout his life, Jerry remained very close with all his in-laws, embracing the Delgados as his own extended family with warmth and deep affection.
After retiring from active duty, Jerry earned his MBA from Rockhurst University and served as Director of its MBA program. In 1988, he began teaching at Johnson County Community College, where he served as Assistant Dean of Business, Technology, and Computer Instruction before returning to full-time teaching. He retired in 2014, having left a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues.