Gerald Dean Marlatt

Gerald Dean Marlatt "Jerry", passed away January 9, 2017 at his home in Emmett Kansas at the age of 72. Jerry was born January 28, 1944 in Topeka Kansas to Herbert Max Marlatt and Marguerite Jane (Spaeth) Crowe. At the time he was the largest baby ever delivered at Stormont-Vail hospital at 14lbs 7oz.

Jerry graduated from Topeka High School in 1962. He served our nation in the reserves after graduating. He worked for Santa Fe railroad before realizing his life's passion becoming a firefighter. He joined the Topeka Fire Department in October of 1972 and retired March 2001. Jerry received numerous awards and achieved the rank of Captain. After retiring he became a lobbyist for the Kansas Council for Firefighters. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed traveling the country on his Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Jerry married Jan Williams in 1966 and later divorced. He had three children, a step-son Jeff Crites of Kansas City KS, a daughter Jennifer Marlatt and son Jarrod Marlatt of Kansas City, KS . And Jerry was the proud grandfather of Mason Marlatt.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert M. Marlatt, Marguerite Crowe, step-father Elvin E. Crowe, his brother Herbert M. Marlatt, sister Betty Wedeking and his daughter Jennifer Marlatt.

Jerry lived every day continuing the trend he started at birth of being larger than life. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka KS, 66603. In lieu of flowers, family requests that memorial contributions be made to International Association of Firefighters Charitable foundations.