Oscar Jerome "Jerry" Brittingham, III, age 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Halcyon Hospice in DeKalb Co., GA following a lengthy struggle with Heart Failure. A native of Newport News, VA, he was born to O. J. Brittingham, Jr. & his wife Agnes Hunter Brittingham on Oct. 13, 1938. He obtained Life Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America, was a member of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and graduated from Warwick High School. Since 1966, he had been a resident of DeKalb County, GA.
Mr. Brittingham was a 1960 graduate of The Virginia Military Institute (BSEE). The following fall, he became an Instructor at V.M.I. in the Electrical Engineering Dept. until time to fulfill his military service commitment.
His first assignment in the Air Force was as Chief of Maintenance Training Division, Security Service School, Goodfellow AFB, Texas, where he was responsible for a 36 week school in electronics and electronic maintenance for NCO's. Next, he became Chief of the Compromising Emanations Lab., United States Air Force Security Service Headquarters, Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.
After being discharged from the Air Force, he earned a MSEE from Georgia Tech while teaching the survey course for non-EEs and some EE labs. After returning to the Electrical Engineering Dept. at V.M.I. for two years, he then became a professor on-leave-of-absence from V.M.I. while working on a Ph.D. (ABD) at Georgia Tech. During '66 - '69, he taught the electronics course for EEs at Georgia Tech as a "visiting professor".
As a consultant, he designed special purpose electronic devices. Also, he held various jobs in the electronic industry from design of micro-circuits to the control of very large machinery; almost everything had to do with cutting-edge technology. Around the turn of the century, he returned to his love of teaching as an Associate Professorof EET at DeVry University.
The first to run as a Republican for the Georgia Public Service Commission, he garnered 43 percent of the vote in a 3-way race in the General Election of 1988. Earlier that year, he was an elected Delegate to the Republican National Convention in New Orleans.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judith Drew Brittingham; a daughter, Melinda Lewis Brittingham; and a son, Oscar Jerome Brittingham, IV (and his wife, Cheryl).
A Committal Service will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on Monday, July 14th at 2 PM. Arrangements are by Wages and Sons Funeral Home in Stone Mountain. There will not be a viewing. Those who wish may make memorial donations to Operation Blessing International, P.O. Box 2636, Virginia Beach, VA or use
https://www.ob.org.
I knew Mr. Brittingham through his daughter and son. He was a true gentleman every time I met him. To say that he will be missed is putting it mildly. I know he is resting in peace.
Jerry was a great guy to work with. He was not just a theorist. He was every entrepreneurial. We met when I was the lab manager at DeVry. He and I would talk shop, but also politics. I strongly considered running for a seat on the School Board because of him. He encouraged me to try to enter politics because we shared some common values about the plight of P-12 education. I plan to make a donation to Operation Blessing International in his name. My condolences and my prayers go out to the family. May he rest in peace!
I am sorry to hear about Jerry’s death. He was a good instructor and friend during his stay at DeVry. My condolences to his family.
I, too, knew Mr. Brittingham through his son and daughter. I knew him to be a gentlemen and a scholar. I bid him and the family fair winds and following seas. Bravo Zulu, Sir, your watch is through.
Jerry and I were colleagues at DeVry University. He was respected by students, faculty, and administrators alike. He will be sorely missed. May God bless his family.
Warren Moore Ph.D
I’d like to send my condolences to Judy and her family. I’ve known Judy since elementary school and Jerry since they got married 53 years ago. What a wonderful example of a godly couple they have been for so many years. I’ve tried to get in touch with Judy by phone and email since I heard the news, but haven’t been successful. I’d love to visit with her when I’m at Carolyn’s on the 25th. My prayers are with you and the family.