Gerald Larry Weiss

Gerald Larry Weiss, beloved husband, dad, granddad (Pa), and great-granddad, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on November 20, 2024, at the age of 86 at The Heart Hospital of Austin. He fought a long, hard battle with congestive heart failure, along with chronic kidney disease. Gerald was born on November 25, 1937, in Manor, Texas, the oldest son to parents LeRoy Weiss and Doris Fredrickson Weiss.

He graduated from Manor High School, second in his class, where he also played football. He was offered a scholarship to play football at Texas Lutheran University. After a short stay at Texas Lutheran, he decided he would instead attend the University of Texas. He attended the University of Texas and worked 40 hours a week at various jobs to pay for school. While attending school part-time, he worked at the State Comptroller’s office. He joined & spent several years in the Texas National Guard during this time.

Gerald spent most of his career as an Independent Insurance Agent. He owned Austin Insurance Exchange for many years before joining Greater Texas Insurance.

For many years, he was very active in the Optimist International Club (Friend of the Boy, later changed to Friend of the Youth), becoming Vice President serving the South Central Texas district. He was also president of the University Hills Optimist Club in Austin & spent countless hours building & working at various Optimist ball fields, especially Reznicek Field.

He loved the Texas Longhorns. He had season tickets to Football, Baseball & Basketball for many years. When he could no longer walk to the stadiums, he was glued to the TV to watch his Longhorns.

Gerald was a lifelong member of the Methodist church, joining the Austin Global Methodist Church at its inception. He loved his church, the pastors, & friends he made along the way, both at his current & previous church.

Although he was a quiet man, he loved being with people & had a passion for travel. He didn’t get home from one trip before he was planning the next one. Thanks to the love & support of great friends, he could even go on a cruise just a couple months before his death. He loved his Thursday afternoon gathering of guys, his monthly luncheons with fellow Manor High School graduates & monthly fellowship with the “Elder Eaters” group.

On September 1, 1962, Gerald married Barbara Tucker. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage & 3 children: Mike, Michele & Brett. He loved any time family could get together: The big Thanksgiving gathering, the Weiss Christmas, the Weiss/Fredrickson Christmas & the Gerald/Barbara Christmas. He loved his family, immediate or extended, and his children were the world to him.

When the children were young, summers were filled with camping trips to Colorado, New Mexico, & numerous campgrounds/National Parks. Fishing & hunting were high on his list of passions. He was on a hunting lease in Uvalde for over 35 years. In a Bible Study class, the teacher once asked about our idea of heaven. Gerald said, “The hunting lease”. During the last 20+ years, fishing in Rockport, TX gave him so much pleasure. He loved sitting on the deck looking at the water.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lamar Weiss, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Left to cherish Gerald’s memories are his loving wife, Barbara, and his three children: Mike Weiss and wife Brenda of Rockport, Michele Felfe and husband Kevin of Pflugerville, and Brett Weiss of McDade, as well as his grandchildren, Coleman Weiss & wife Kirstie, Addison Weiss, Jennie Cleveland & husband Paul, Lindsey Watson & husband Charles (Chuck) & his precious great-grandchildren: Eliza Cleveland, Chase Watson, & Kelly Weiss. He is also survived by his sister Sue Bonnet & husband Danny, sister-in-law Sue Weiss; special cousins, Greg Fredrickson & wife Debbie, & Kay Olson & husband Lenny. Additionally, he leaves behind many Weiss family members including aunts, Ruth Pfennig and Janelle Heine, an uncle, James Weiss, and many cousins he loved celebrating with at the Weiss Christmas.

The family would especially like to thank the Heart Hospital of Austin, the nurses, doctors & staff, for the excellent care they gave Gerald during the 2 ½ weeks he was there. A special thanks to Dr. Bhatt for the compassionate care he gave Gerald over the years he was in his care. There are not enough words to express our thanks.

Memorial contributions may be given in memory of Gerald to Austin Global Methodist Church, 2928 Mossy Springs Drive, Leander, TX 78641 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on December 4, 2024 at Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, TX 78750. A reception with light lunch will follow.