James Francis Joseph Gerard

James Francis Joseph Gerard, Jim, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2023 at age 92. Jim was born on September 1, 1930 in Baltimore, MD, but little is known about his early years. At age 12, however, he joined the household of Charles and Marie Coale and theirs became his forever family. With their care, guidance and love, Jim completed high school and then enlisted in the US Army.

For the next 20 years he was stationed at many different army bases around the US and in Korea and Vietnam. He fondly recalled being stationed in Hawaii and participating in the filming of the motion picture “From Here to Eternity”. In 1972, Jim retired from the Army while stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. He spent the next four decades living just blocks from the Fort Sam gates, working on his own and forming many deep friendships. He kept in touch with Army friends and attended many military reunions.

As a devoted uncle, Jim shared family vacations, holidays, birthdays and many special occasions with his Coale family and was proud to have known many generations. In his later years, he relocated to Round Rock and then Austin to be closer to his niece. The family extends special thanks to the staff at Buckner Villas Harbor Memory Care Unit for their excellent care of Jim in his final year.

Charles and Marie Coale reinforced Jim’s strong Catholic faith and instilled in him traits of generosity, kindness, love of family and respect for hard work. His was a life well lived and we are grateful for his example.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marie Coale, his brother Charles William Coale, Jr. and his sister-in-law Carol Coale. He is survived by his brother Tom Coale and his nieces and nephews Jeannie Coale, Mary (John) Murphy, Louie (Leah) Coale, J.P. Coale and Sally (Karl) Kehrberg, Chip Coale and Chris Coale. He is also survived by 10 great nieces and nephews – Robin, Tommy, Patrick, Andrew, Kayla, Molly, Anna, Morgan, Katy and Abby – and 3 great-great nieces and nephews – Hudson, Tatum and Penelope.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Cook Walden Capital Parks with a Rosary Service following at 7:00 PM at 14501 N I-H 35 Pflugerville, TX 78660. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday April 26, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Saint Louis King of France Catholic Church 7601 Burnet Rd. Austin, TX 78757.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Gerard family.