Jerid Gmach

1937 - 2012

Gmach, Jerid Ronald

Jerid Ronald Gmach, 75, of Hendersonville, NC, died Monday, June 25, 2012 at his residence.

Mr. Gmach was born May 9, 1937 in Sheboygan, WI to the late Al and Olga (Nytes) Gmach. After graduating from Sheboygan North High School in 1955, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for two years in Port Lyauty, Morocco. With the completion of his military service, Jerid enrolled in college and graduated from Spencerian College in Milwaukee in 1961 with a Bachelors of Business Administration. He immediately began work for General Merchandise Company which was eventually acquired by JCPenney. His 36 year career as a catalog and retail buyer with Penney's took him from Milwaukee to Manhattan to Plano, TX where he retired in 1997.

Beginning retirement with his wife, they traveled in their RV for three years before finding their ideal retirement home in Hendersonville in May 2000.

Mr. Gmach was active in church and he enjoyed fishing and gardening and any time spent in the great outdoors. He enjoyed woodworking and was very handy around the house.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Lois Anne (Jaschob) Gmach, two daughters, Laura Anne Testa and her husband Keith of Metuchen, NJ and Pamela Carol Hack and her husband William of Beaumont, TX; four grandchildren, Anthony and Olivia Testa, and Andrew and Ryan Hack. He is also survived by a brother, Jordan Gmach, and a sister Judi Haller, both of Virginia.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Gmach was preceded in death by three infant sons and a sister Janet (Gmach) Mahnke.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 8 at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Rd., Flat Rock NC 28731 or to Hendersonville First Presbyterian Church, 699 N. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.