Gerald Gerstmann

Gerald Mark Gerstmann passed away quietly on December 9, 2016 at the age of 62. He was born in Waverly, IA on August 16, 1954 to Eric and Mildred Gerstmann. When Jerry was 11, his family moved to Austin, TX. He graduated from Austin Reagan High School. He attended The University of Texas at Austin where he studied Architectural Engineering and received his BS in 1976. It was during his final undergraduate semester that Jerry met his future wife Marilynn McBride when they joined the same co-ed softball team. On May 28, 1977, Jerry and Marilynn were married at Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church in Dickinson, TX and had 39 wonder-filled years together.

His career took him to San Diego, CA, as a civil servant for the US Navy; Portland, TX, designing oil rigs; and Houston, TX, supporting the shuttle program on various NASA contracts. With the children's involvement in club soccer, Jerry developed a love of the game. Soccer became one of the sports he followed along with basketball. He loved the outdoors, often taking the family on camping and hiking vacations around the country. He also loved gardening, taking pride in his prize winning grapefruit, blackberry jelly, and vegetable garden. When he couldn't be outside, he was usually reading any book he could get his hands on, sharing his love of learning and observing the world with any willing soul.

He is survived by his wife Marilynn, son and daughter-in-law James and Julia Gerstmann, daughter and son-in-law Amanda and Clayton Collins. He has three grandchildren, Evelyn, Elizabeth, and Zachary Gerstmann. He is also survived by his father, Eric R. Gerstmann, his sister Carol Crader, numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Sean A. Gerstmann and his mother, Mildred P. Gerstmann.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family at Mary Queen Catholic Church (606 Cedarwood Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546) on Wednesday, December 14 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, with the rosary at 8:00 PM. Note: For those who may be interested, there is daily Mass in the St. Joseph Chapel at 6:30 prior to the visitation. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, December 15 at 11:00 AM also at Mary Queen Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Texas Parks and Wildlife ( http://tpwd.texas.gov

/business/donations/ ) or to Doctors Without Borders ( http://www.doctors

withoutborders.org/ ), organizations close to his heart.

Condolences may be sent to the Gerstmann family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com