Jerald (Jerry) Birdsong, 79, of Mt. Hope died June 26, 2022 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. He was born June 28, 1942 in Newport News, Va. A USMC veteran, he served on the USS Intrepid and participated in the at sea pick-up of the first US Astronaut, Alan Shepard. He was a proud member of Asbestos Workers Local 88, Richmond, Va and retired from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003. He was a Tamarack juried, award winning, published water media artist. Jerry, beloved husband and father, is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Frances Carter Birdsong, daughter, Shelley Birdsong-Maddex (Lee), and one grandchild, Nadiya, of Morgantown WV. He was preceded in death by his parents (L.J. And Marjorie Birdsong), only son, J. Keith Birdsong of Mt. Hope, WV, and brother Richard W. Birdsong of Richmond, Va. A memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the St. Joseph’s Indian School, P.O. Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326, whose mission he supported for over 30 years.