James "Jim" Gerst

James "Jim" Oscar Gerst, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 21, 2014. He was born on July 7, 1920 in La Feria, Texas to Myrtle Camp Gerst and James Oscar Gerst, Sr.

Upon graduation from San Benito High School, where he was the Class President, Jim entered the United States Air Force to serve in the China Burma India Theater of World War II. At the end of the war, Jim returned to attend The University of Texas School of Business. In 1950 he began his career working in the Savings and Loan industry as an Examiner in the Texas Department of Banking. In 1953, he married Bessie "Bess" Faye Hinton and began a 61-year loving marriage. In 1954 he was named Executive Vice President, Manager and Director of Cleburne Savings and Loan Association. While in Cleburne his daughter Shelley Gerst was born. After moving to Austin he was appointed the State of Texas Savings and Loan Commissioner in 1964 and the President, Manager and Director of Mutual Savings Institution in 1967. After retiring, Jim continued to work in real estate development and sold retirement insurance.

Beyond Jim's professional accomplishments, he was first and foremost a man of great faith, a loving family man and truly selfless in every aspect. He took great joy in spending time with his family, especially when he was playing tennis and fishing in Rockport, Texas. He was always front row at all of his grandchildren's sporting and extracurricular activities.

Jim was very active in his church and volunteered with many service groups, including Meals on Wheels, mentor for The Barbara Jordan Early College Prep School and Rotary Club as a Rotary Fellow. He devoted his time to numerous boards of directors in Texas and Washington, D.C. including serving as President of the National Association of Savings and Loan Supervisors and on the Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Directors.

Jim is survived by his wife; daughter Shelley Page and her husband Curtis Page; grandchildren Margaret Williams and her husband Matt Williams, Caroline Page and James Page; great-grandchildren Caroline Williams and Ford Williams. He is also survived by his niece Mary Faye Randolph; nephew Robert Ferguson and sister-in-law Ruth Randolph.

Jim is predeceased by his parents; sister Marian Ferguson and her husband Ralph Ferguson; brother Charles Gerst; mother and father-in-law Bella and Claude Hinton and brother-in-law George Randolph.

The family has great appreciation and thanks for the wonderful staff of Westminster Manor Healthcare Center for their care of Jim over the past five years.

Following a private burial, a celebration of Jim's life will be held on Friday, September 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd., in Austin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be given to Meals on Wheels, 3227 E 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702; The Settlement Home for Children, 1600 Payton Gin Road, Austin, TX 78758 or Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd., Austin, TX 78703.