Gerson David Deseamus

As all of us sit here today and contemplate in our own lives how to react, deal, or learn from the many obstacles in the world today, I cannot help to keep coming back to one word, OVERCOME. If there is one word that distinctly describes the HEART of Gerson Deseamus, this is it. By its very definition overcome means to succeed in dealing with an obstacle or problem; to prevail over life’s injustices, or simply overpower one’s challenges.

Gerson’s journey as an overcomer began in Heredia, Costa Rica where he was born on May 14th, 1985. At the tender age of five years old, Gerson’s father and mother brought him to the United States where they settled in Chalmette, Louisiana. Gerson’s upbringing in Louisiana saw many experiences and obstacles, but this is where Gerson’s heart truly started to display the love and fight for justice and betterment of his life. After his high school education was cut short, Gerson fought to complete his GED from the Louisiana Community and Technical College system.

The one thing that has always stood out for anyone who had the privilege to know Gerson, was his absolute giving nature. From the small things like a smile or a chuckle, to the big things like putting his life on the line for his loved ones. There is no better example of this than Gerson’s personal experience with the tragedy of hurricane Katrina in 2005. His personal sacrifice to help others when he returned home to retrieve meaningful mementos that were feared would be lost in the flood. Upon arriving home to retrieve those items, the levies broke, and he had to find refuge on the top floor of his home for a time until eventually, days later, he had to find safety on the rooftop. This is just one instance, of many, that are a testament to the deepness of his love for others.

After moving back to Costa Rice as an adult, Gerson’s was able to gain skills in one of his passions, computers and gaming. After working for Verizon Wireless, he landed a job with Dell computers as a technical support agent. Little did Gerson know that same job would change his life forever. While on a technical support call with a customer from the state of California in the U.S., he made a connection that would lead to matrimony. He met Roseann Etcheverry on that very call on August 22nd of 2014. A fast connection through many shared interests and passions, Gerson would finally find his soulmate. Within a short few months Gerson again left Costa Rica for the U.S. where he stayed with his family in Mississippi until he could find his way to Roseann in June of 2015.

Roseann and Gerson were married on December 28th, 2015. Through all the searching, Gerson found the one person in life that he knew he wanted to spend his life with. After Roseann graduated with a master’s degree, she accepted a position in elementary education for Madera Unified School District where she and Gerson lived. Following his soulmate to the school district, Gerson accepted a substitute position with the maintenance and custodial department. He had hoped he would possibly spend his career working at the same place as his wife, but GOD had other plans. In 2019, Gerson landed a full-time position with the Internal Revenue Service in Fresno, CA. He took to this position quickly and told Roseann that he finally landed the career he was proud of and truly wanted to advance and excel in.

Gerson did not develop this Overcomer’s heart on his own. As Gerson’s found out in his adult life, there is a higher power responsible for our creation and journey on this earth. Gerson accepted Jesus Christ into his life at a Teen Challenge program during a very difficult time. As is always the case, GOD loved Gerson with the unconditional agape love only he can offer. Gerson was continually growing, maturing, and trusting GOD no matter what circumstances he found himself in. As GOD only looks at our heart, I eagerly ask you all to remember Gerson and his OVERCOMER’S heart just the way GOD does.

Gerson was survived by his wife, Roseann Deseamus, his mother, Bernardita Mayerlin Voss, his stepfather, Christopher Voss, his siblings, Makayla, Christopher Jr., and Coby Voss. His mother-in-law, Lucinda Marquez, his stepfather-in-law, Ruben Marquez, his father-in-law, Pierre Etcheverry, his brother-in-Law, Martial I. Etcheverry, his sister-in-law, Melinda Vang, and his niece, McKayla Etcheverry. Grandmother Virginia Gomez Tafalla, and Grandmother-in-law, Marie Therese Etcheverry.

Preceded in death by Grandfathers Buddy Deseamus and Lino Gomez Araya, and Grandfather-in-laws, Martial Etcheverry and Ignacio E. Mora. Grandmother, Helen Eumont, and Grandmother-in-law, Rosie M. Mora

Please join us in offering your support and prayers for Gerson’s family.

A visitation for Gerson will be held Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720. Following the visitation will be a funeral service at 3:00 PM at the Peoples Church, 7172 N Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93720.

Serving as pallbearers are Martial Etcheverry, Coby Voss, Christopher Voss Jr., Isreal Ochoa, Edward Mora, Daniel Mora, Pierre Etcheverry and Ruben Marquez.

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