Jerome Albert Briner

The Briner family says goodbye to our beloved Jerome. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 11, 2026.

Early Life, Faith, and Service

Jerome arrived in this world 85 years ago in Indianapolis, Indiana, born to Helen and Roy Briner. Raised in a vibrant, devout Catholic household alongside his three brothers and one sister, Jerome anchored his faith in everything he did. After graduating from Hamilton Catholic High School, he proudly joined the U.S. Air Force, where he forged lifelong friendships and discovered the discipline to follow his dreams. He went on to graduate from The Ohio State University with a degree in accounting.

Love and Family

In 1966, while working at Ernst & Ernst in Columbus, Ohio, Jerome married the love of his life, Rita Smith. The two had fallen in love among the Buckeye trees of OSU's beautiful campus. Jerome and Rita shared a deep faith in God, a love of knowledge, and a passion for adventure—values they passed on to their two children, Ben and Meg. In the 1980s, the young family moved to Arizona, which became their long-term home.

Professional Excellence

Jerome’s passion for accounting and tax law led to a distinguished career, culminating in his role as a Partner at Ernst & Young LLC. He believed in sharing his knowledge with anyone seeking answers. For years, on the evening of April 14, the day before Tax Day, Jerome could be found on the local PBS station, calmly and informatively answering last-minute tax questions for stressed callers. An active member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA, formerly the National Association of Accountants), he was deeply honored to be inducted into the prestigious Stuart Cameron McLeod Society.

Community, Youth, and Ministry

Outside of work, Jerome filled his life with scouting, fishing, golfing, and travel. Scouting was a lifelong passion; after participating as a youth, he stepped into adult leadership roles at both the local Den and regional Council levels. In Goodyear, Arizona, he was incredibly proud to help form the local Cub Scout Pack at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. His devotion to his church community never wavered. Throughout his life, regardless of the parish he belonged to, Jerome was deeply involved in local ministries. He frequently served his congregations as a Lector in the Ministry of the Word, dedicated his leadership skills to the Pastoral Committee, and was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus.

A Life of Adventure

Adventure and travel went hand-in-hand for Jerome. He constantly sought opportunities to learn about history, art, and new cultures, never missing a chance to visit friends and family along the way. After retiring, Jerome and Rita fulfilled their ultimate travel dreams, exploring every corner of the globe together and visiting all seven continents, including Antarctica.

Jerome leaves behind a legacy of faith, intellect, adventure, and deep devotion to his family, including his wife, Rita; his two children: Ben (wife Jodi), grandchildren Haley and Nolan; and Meg (husband Chris), granddaughters Kate and Lexi. He will be profoundly missed.