Jerry Warden Friedheim's Obituary
Jerry Warden Friedheim, 89, a resident of the Washington area since 1962 and a former assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, died on January 20, 2024 at Falcons Landing in Sterling, Virginia.
Mr. Friedheim was born October 7, 1934 in Joplin, Mo. to Volmer Havens and Billie Alice Friedheim and grew up in Joplin. He was a 1952 graduate of Joplin High School and earned a bachelor of journalism degree in 1956 and a master of arts degree in 1962 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he taught journalism in 1961 and 1962.
Jerry married Shirley Margarette Beavers in Joplin October 17, 1956; she died September 15, 2003. He married Jacqueline Wade Grant Friedheim April 24, 2004; she survives.
Mr. Friedheim earned an ROTC commission at the university and served two years on active duty in Germany and 11 years in the Army reserve as an artillery captain. In his early career, he was a newspaper reporter, photographer and editor for the Neosho (Mo.) Daily News, The Joplin Globe and Columbia Missourian and also worked for the Associated Press.
Jerry came to Washington as a congressional fellow of the American Political Science Association after receiving an APSA award for distinguished reporting of public affairs for his coverage of the 1962 congressional elections. He then worked as a press secretary, legislative assistant and administrative assistant to former U.S. Rep. Durward G. Hall (R-Mo.) and to former U.S. Senator John G. Tower (R-Texas). He participated in three presidential political campaigns.
In 1969, he was nominated by former president Richard M. Nixon and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. He was assistant secretary from 1972 to 1974. He served with defense secretaries Melvin Laird, Elliot Richardson and James Schlesinger as Pentagon spokesman, twice receiving the defense distinguished medal. He was honored by the Aviation Space Writers Associating in 1974 for his public affairs direction of Operation Homecoming, the return of U.S. prisoners of war from North Vietnam.
Mr. Friedheim was vice president for government affairs of AMTRAK for a year before becoming general manager and president of the American Newspaper Publishers Association for 16 years. He also was president of the association's foundation and founder of its journal, Presstime. He served as chairman of both the Washington Journalism Center and the National Press Foundation and as a director of the World Press Freedom Committee.
In 1992, Jerry joined the Freedom Forum Foundation and guided the development of The Newseum in Washington, D.C.; becoming its founding executive director. After his retirement in 1999, he served on The Newseum's advisory board. Mr. Friedheim was among the early residents of the Falcons Landing retirement community in Sterling, Va. and he served as president of the community's residents' council in 2001 and 2002. He was a member of the Falcons Landing chapel choir and chorus and performed, sang and danced in several theatrical productions and holiday musical shows. He was a member of the Community Lutheran Church of Sterling, Va.
Mr. Friedheim also is survived by three children, Dr. Daniel Volmer Friedheim of Washington, D.C., Cynthia Diane Wilson of Colorado, and Thomas Eric Friedheim of South Carolina; seven grandchildren, Daniel Friedheim of Chicago, Emma Friedheim of Niamey, Niger (Africa); Dr. Caroline Kellar-Wilson of North Carolina and Natalie Wilson of Colorado; Oliver Friedheim of Texas, Hannah Wood of Tennessee, Sadie Cook of South Carolina; and two great-grandsons Damari Cook and Cyzlan Bonds of South Carolina.
A private family burial was held at Fairfax Memorial Park Cemetery, Va.
Memorial services were held at Falcons Landing, January 24, 2024.
What’s your fondest memory of Jerry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jerry?
Share a story where Jerry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jerry you’ll never forget.
How did Jerry make you smile?
