Gerald Edwin Hand

Gerald Edwin Hand Sr. passed away on December 21, 2025 in Salem, Oregon at the age of 96. He was born on January 31, 1929 in Fort Collins, Colorado to Guy Adrian and Mildred (Hardenberger) Hand. He was the second of seven children. The family later moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon. He graduated from Klamath Union High School in 1947 and then joined the Navy in 1950 and served in the Korean war.

Gerald met his wife Jeanne through a friend while in the navy and they wrote letters to each other for nine months until they finally met in Redondo Beach, California. After a few short months he proposed and they were married December 9, 1951. They welcomed daughter Rebecca Rachel (Thornton) in 1959 and son Gerald Edwin Hand, Jr. in 1967.

In 1954, after completing two navy tours, Gerald went to Bible school and became a minister with the Pentecostal Holiness Church. He pastored churches in Oklahoma and Texas. His journey in the ministry took him to California, Washington, Oregon, and to Arizona where he and Jeanne served on Indian reservations. He participated in mission trips to Honduras and Mexico. He was also a long time volunteer with The Salvation Army and Gideons International. Gerald’s varied careers included being a milkman, garbageman, riveter, lumber mill worker, social worker, resort owner, real estate broker, and a second-hand store owner.

Gerald was proud of his academic career. He earned a Bachelor of Theology from Southwestern Pentecostal Holiness College in 1960, a Masters of Arts in Theology from the Jacksonville Theological Seminary in 1994, a Doctor of World Missions and Evangelism from New Covenant Schools of Ministry in 1995, and a Doctor of World Missions from Jacksonville Theological Seminary also in 1995.

Gerald enjoyed fishing and hunting with his brothers, son, grandchildren, and nephews. It was the highlight of each year to spend time at hunting camp in the Topsy Area west of Klamath Falls.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Mildred, his wife Jeanne, his brothers Delmar, Norman, Ken, and his sisters, Lois and Mildred. He is survived by his sister Betty Dreyer, his daughter Rebecca Rachel Thornton of Chehalis, WA, son Gerald Edwin Hand, Jr. (Heidi) of Scio, OR, grandchildren Crystal Hill, Michael Hill, Robert Morgan, Jr., Sarena Hendrix, Calvin Baker, Dayna Baker, Amy Hand, ten great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.