Mr. Gerald Henry Weghorst

Gerald Henry Weghorst, a long-time resident of Dallas, passed away Friday, April 1, 2016, at the age of 89. Born June 22, 1926, in Washington County, Texas to Frederick Weghorst and Martha Bohne Weghorst, Gerald was raised in Brenham, Texas along with his younger sister Mary. While attending high school, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and served as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.

As a senior in high school, the U.S. Navy selected Gerald for naval officer training, and he was sworn into the Navy on his 17th birthday. He served two and a half years on active duty during World War II and immediately afterward, with thirteen months of that time spent working in the Combat Information Center aboard the USS Boxer. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant.

After discharge from active duty with the Navy, Gerald attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham, where he played basketball in the 1947 state championship game. He transferred to Texas A&M University, graduating in 1949 with a bachelor degree in electrical engineering. While in college, Gerald was recruited by Dallas Power and Light Company. He worked in many capacities, including Head of Underground Lines Division, and retired following a 38-year career at DP&L.

Gerald met the love of his life, Phyllis Brown, on New Year’s Eve 1956, and they were married on May 18, 1957 at Highland Baptist Church in Dallas. They had two sons, Hank and Allan, and were both wonderful parents involved in home, school, sports, and scouting activities. Gerald was Cubmaster and Scoutmaster for his sons' Boy Scout Troop 636, and was awarded the Silver Beaver for service to youth by the National Council.

Gerald was a long-time member of Central Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council. He also served on supervisory committees when he moved to Brookdale Club Hill in Garland. He loved to travel, visiting 47 states and 42 countries. He was a wonderful photographer and organized his photos and videos into a lifetime of memories to be shared by family and friends.

Gerald is survived by son Hank (wife Linda) of Austin, and son Allan (wife Nanette) of Rockwall, and grandchildren Dustin, Alex, Aaron, Grace, Savannah, and Sophie; sister Mary Blackmon of Altus, OK, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gerald is preceded in death by his loving wife Phyllis, who passed away in 1991.

The family wishes to thank caregivers at Brookdale (Garland), Autumn Leaves Memory Care (Rockwall), and Heart to Heart Hospice for their wonderful and loving care for Gerald, and for the many friends and family members who enriched Gerald’s life, as he himself enriched our lives.