Jerry Eldon Reitz

eternal rest.

Jerry was born in Greenville, Ohio on October 12, 1940 but he spent his formative years in Bellaire,

Texas later attending the University of Houston pursuing studies for a BS in Liberal Arts. He was very

active with his family at Bellaire Presbyterian Church participating in the youth group and church

choir. From a very early age Jerry had a love for music and enjoyed playing the trombone in his high

school band.

During the 1960s and 1970s Jerry worked in a variety of roles that included nursing home

administrator, training director of a munitions plant (in Shreveport, Louisiana), restaurant owner, and

sales representative for Monarch Marking System Company (now Pitney Bowes). From 1979 to 1987

Jerry served as the Assistant Food Service Director for St. Joseph Hospital in downtown Houston.

There he assisted in the direction and supervision of a 225 member kitchen staff. He then became the

Food Service Director at St. Johns Hospital in Nassau Bay, Texas from 1987 to 1996. Later he became

the Food Service Director with Twelve Oaks Hospital in Houston. His food service experience

eventually led to opening his own bed and breakfast called “Out By the Sea” in Crystal Beach, Texas.

During his retirement years, Jerry enjoyed working as a part-time cashier at Kroger's and then from

2008 to the present as a Crossing Guard for Patterson Elementary School of the Houston Independent

School District. The parents and children at Patterson loved Jerry and were drawn to his out-going,

affirming personality. Jerry deeply loved the parents and children. One parent wrote the following note

to Jerry: “Thank you for always having a smile on your face as you cross my little ones. Each day you

give your service for the safety of our young; with no desire for recognition or your praises to be sung.

Now I want to simply thank you for everything you do so you may know the gratitude that we all have

for you.”

Jerry's passion was his belief in Jesus Christ and sharing that belief with everyone he knew. He joined

the Resurrection Community Church in 1980 and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He

sang in the church choir and also enjoyed playing in the bell choir. A few years later, Jerry became a

member of a second church -St. Peter United Church of Christ where he participated in several

ministries. He was a faithful and hard-working member of both churches. Community outreach was

important to Jerry, so he applied to several bingo organizations to name his two churches and the Excel

Retreat Ministries as recipients of their donations. They have received on-going annual donations from

the bingo organizations for many years.

Beyond Jerry's commitment to his church families, he became a member of Excel Retreat Ministries in

the 1980's. Being apart of this ministry created another opportunity for Jerry to take Jesus Christ to

people all over the world. One of his favorite places to take this ministry was South Africa. Jerry and

other devoted volunteers formed teams of caring Christians to share the word of God and Jesus Christ.

He served as an Executive Director of Excel International de Colores, Inc. starting in 1992. He also

enjoyed being part of local Excel teams.

One individual who attended an Excel Weekend Retreat led by Jerry sent him this note: “Praise God

for yet another awesome weekend and thank you for all that you are to the team, to MCCR and to me.

Your unending dedication and commitment to this moment is a big part of why I am where I am”. Jerry

was cherished and loved as a trusted friend by many.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Cletus Eldon “Pete” Reitz and by his mother, Frances Evelyn

(Riegle) Reitz. He is survived by his sister, Martha Jo Trostel and her husband Thomas Lee Trostel,

niece Kimberly Richardson (and husband Jared), nephew Blake Calhoun (and wife Christine), nephew

Matthew Trostel (and wife Lynn), 6 great nieces, McKenzie Richardson, McKayla Richardson, McKell

Richardson, McKenna Richardson, Chloe Calhoun, Emma Calhoun and many wonderful cousins.

The Memorial Service will be held virtually on January 31, 2021 at 2:00 pm. The service will be

officiated by Reverend Troy Treash (Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church) and Reverend

Vicki Sheil-Hopper (St. Peter United Church of Christ).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to:

Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church

2025 West 11th Street

Houston, Texas 77008

St. Peter United Church of Christ

9022 Long Point Road

Houston, Texas 77055

Excel Retreat Ministries

P.O. Box 70936

Houston, Texas 77270-0936