Gerald "Jerry" E. Gombert

GOMBERT, Gerald Emil “Jerry”, 89, of Knoxville, TN, departed this world on January 14, 2026. Born October 21, 1936 in Macomb County, MI, he was preceded in death by parents, Robert and Adele Gombert; siblings, Arthur Otto and Elva Marie Gombert; and wife, Norma Myers Gombert. He is survived by daughter, Linda Gombert; daughter and son-in-law, Melisa Marie and Doug Williams; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Yvonne Gombert; step-daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Brian Pierce; grandchildren Holley, Christy, Bennie and Amanda; several great grandchildren; and former wife, Germaine Marie Gombert.

Jerry started his career in the early days of the US Space Program, working as an engineering draftsman for Projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo, and the Skylab Space Station during its design phase. Later, Jerry transferred his skills to the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he worked as an engineering draftsman for various hydroelectric and nuclear power plant projects for another 20 years.

Jerry enjoyed playing softball as a boy and well into adulthood as a part of various recreational leagues, even coaching his daughter’s girls softball team for a few years. Some of his other favorite recreational activities included fishing, woodworking, recreational mathematics, hiking, boats of every sort from home-made sailboats to inflatable rafts to motor boats, and building entertaining electronic gizmos from discarded television innards and other spare parts. He was a lifelong figure-it-outer and maker-of-amazing-things. He will be sadly missed.

The family wishes to thank the staff members of The Pointe at Lifespring; Special Caregivers, Jamaria and Sheila; and Physical Therapist, Ryan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Thompson Cancer Survival Center’s Office of Philanthropy, or to the charity of your choice.

Family will receive friends Wednesday, January 21st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 W. Adair Dr., Knoxville, TN 37918. Graveside service will take place Friday, January 30th at 3:00pm at Lynnhurst Cemetery, meeting at the graveside at 2:45pm.