Gerald Leo Wilkes Jr.

It is with great sorrow to announce the passing of Gerald Leo Wilkes Jr. through his battle with cancer on January 2, 2020. Gerry’s death took place in Jacksonville, FL at the age of 52. He was born in St. Louis, MO on June 17, 1967, son of Sue Wilkes and Gerald Wilkes Sr.

Gerry was a devoted family man to his wife and three children. Earlier in his life, he attended the University of Kansas to receive his bachelor’s degree in Communications. He then moved to Florida to begin his career as a real estate appraiser. This father was an avid sports fan, with his favorite teams being the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Kansas Jayhawks, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the St. Louis Blues. In his last year of his life, Gerry got to experience what he had dreamed of since his birth and the birth of the team in 1967, the Blues’ first Stanley Cup win. Gerry had strong ties to his family back in St. Louis since he grew up in a house with five siblings. With 11 nieces and nephews, Gerry always came back to the Midwest every year to visit his loved ones. But his family life branched out to include more than just his biological relatives. For many years, Gerry played on recreational flag football and softball teams with his friends. He was a very spiritual man and considered his church, San Juan del Rio, apart of his family as well. Gerry appreciated all the little things in life, and constantly strived to take any opportunity to experience new things. The father and husband loved to spend time with his family traveling, trying the best offbeat restaurants, and seeing the world as it is: beautiful.

Gerald was predeceased by his father, Gerald Wilkes Sr; his sister, Sharon Homire; and his close friend, Brian D’Errico. He is survived by his mother Sue Wilkes; his wife Danielle Wilkes; his children Davis, Delaney, and Collins Wilkes; his siblings Sally (Rob) McAlexander, John (Kim) Wilkes, Michael (Julie) Wilkes, and Tom (Lynn) Wilkes; and his brother in law Rick (Rosalie) Homire.

The Funeral is scheduled for 10:30am on January 21 at San Juan del Rio Catholic Church. Father Pagano and Father Tetlow will be conducting the Mass. Proceeding the Mass will be a celebration of Gerry’s life at the Wilkes household. Also, in lieu of flowers, his family has created a GoFundMe where all the funds will be donated to the Oral Maxillofacial Unit at UF Shands, where Gerry’s treatments took place. Please consider making a donation at https://www.gofundme.com/f/gerry-wilkes-uf-shands-oral-maxillofacial-gra?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet