Donald Raymond Gerber

Donald Raymond Gerber, Sr. was welcomed by his Lord and Savior into heaven on Thursday, March 12, 2026. He was born into a large and loving family in Dimmitt, Texas to Bill and Frances Gerber on March 26, 1940. Don attended school in Umbarger and graduated at the top of his 2 person class in 1958. He married Theresa Mikesell in Amarillo in December of 1981 and they have been happily married for almost 45 years.

He worked with great skill as a large machine mechanic in various towns in the Panhandle before settling in Amarillo in the 60’s. He was sought after to fix equipment for people all over the area as he was that knowledgeable. He was known to be a strong, hard-working man his whole life and his hands showed it. He was the fixer of all things, to the degree that his children believed he could literally fix anything!

He was a man of faith and prayed for everybody. He never forgot to say his prayers and to thank the Lord for his many blessings. He was strong, humble and had the best smile and welcoming laugh to go along with his laid-back personality. This made people want to be in his presence. He had a gift that made you feel like you were the most important person in the world and you never left him feeling unloved. He not only loved his family and friends ferociously, he also loved every living thing: his garden, chickens, mini-horses, peacocks, flowers, pheasants, hummingbirds, goats, pigeons, squirrels, dogs, turtles, and once even a one cat. He was a great steward of all of God’s creatures.

He was quite skilled as a welder and there wasn’t anything he could not use to make his yard art for family and friends. He could make anything out of disregarded yard tools, farm equipment, spark plugs, pistons, and plow discs. In his later years he enjoyed building Lego kits to pass the time that were gifted to him from his family. Don was the ultimate prankster, but also the incomparable life-lesson teacher. He enjoyed traveling to see family and friends near and far. He loved fishing anywhere and anytime, but he especially loved fishing in Corpus Christi, Missouri and Red River. He and Theresa also found joy in just sitting and delighting in watching nature from their patio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tommy, Billy, and Glenn Gerber; a sister, Janice Wieck; 2 grandchildren, and 2 great great grandsons.

Left to cherish his memory are: his wife of the home, Theresa; his children; Julie (Kevin) Wilde, Donnie (Kim) Gerber, Billy Gerber, Gena Gerber Hill, Tish (Archie) Cordova, and Tiffany Brummett; grandchildren, Marci, Cristy, and Chase Johnson, Aamy Nelson, Trey (Joanna), Michael (Crystal), and Ashton Gerber, Stephanie and Rance (Laci) Gerber, Awstyn (Kristen) and Bryntin Cordova; Aaron (Alison) and Abbie (Nate) Brummett; 24 great-grandchildren; brother Kenneth (Terrie) Gerber, and four sisters, Romilda Friemel, Carolyn (Jim) Wieck, Sharon Gerber, and Linda (Kenneth)Moore; and a host of beloved family and friends.

Don’s wonderful spirit, joy, and life will be celebrated Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1:30PM at St.Mary’s Catholic Church in Umbarger, Texas. Flowers can be delivered to 7725 West McCormick. The family has requested that any donations be made to either the church, St. Jude’s, or your favorite charity in his name.