Gerard W. Jauchler “Jerry” died peacefully at his home at Trezevant Manor Retirement Home in Memphis, Tennessee on October 28, 2020. He is survived by his children Patricia Ann (Garth Garrett), Carolyn Sue (Walter Hall), Gerard William Jr. (Kyle Harned), Jeanne Elizabeth (Greg Pohlman), and John Edward (Liz Mack). He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren (plus 2 on the way), sister-in-law Carolyn Castleman, brother-in-law Garth Bishop (Ellen Gameral), sister-in-law Jean (John) Armstrong, sister-in-law Peyton Bishop, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Sarah Jean Bishop Jauchler, sister and brother-in-law Alida and Dr. Waldo Treuting, sister Sr. Josephine Jauchler, brother-in-law Bill Bishop, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Charlotte and Dick Puck, and brother-in-law Dale Castleman.
Jerry was born in New Orleans, Louisiana where he lived until he graduated from high school as his class Valedictorian from St. Aloysius High School. He continued on to college, graduating from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. With the onset of World War II, he enlisted in the Navy. During his enlistment, he was eligible to continue his education under the GI Bill, entering Medical School at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. It was there that he completed his medical training, eventually specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. During his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, he met a young nurse named Sarah Jean Bishop on a blind date. She was the love of his life.
Jerry stayed in the Navy as a member of the US Navy Medical Corps, ultimately serving for 29 years. During the Korean War, he was shipped out on The USS Whetstone to Japan, aboard which he served as the ship’s Medic. He also had duty stations in San Diego California, Millington Tennessee, Pensacola Florida, and China Lake California. He briefly left the Navy in 1963 and went into private practice in Richardson Texas at Parkland Memorial Hospital where President Kennedy was brought after his assassination. He retired from the Navy as a Captain in Millington Tennessee in 1975.
He and his family moved to Memphis Tennessee, and there he enjoyed a successful OB/GYN career in private practice at Methodist Central Hospital. He retired from his practice in 1994.
Jerry was involved in many organizations throughout his life, both religious and civic. He has served as president of the parish council, an officer in The Serra Club, was a member of The Navy League, MOAA, MOWW and The English Speaking Union. He was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Memphis Tennessee for 45 years, was passionately pro life and served as a board member of Birthright, Memphis.
Of his many accomplishments, Jerry fondly remembered his years stationed in China Lake, California where he learned to love the beauty of the outdoors. There he took his family on many adventures-hiking, fishing and camping in the High Sierras, exploring all that California had to offer. He even summited Mt. Whitney on foot, the highest peak in the contiguous US at 14,500 ft. Jerry also loved the game of golf and faithfully played every chance he got. He and Sarah were avid competitive bridge players, and they both loved to travel. They took trips all over the world, from Russia to The Holy Land to Hawaii. Their fondest memories were of trips they took on Space-A Military hops with friends aboard Air Force Cargo planes that were so loud that they had to wear earplugs!
Jerry will be remembered for his love of God and family, his gentle and loving nature, his silly puns and songs, and his love of music and dancing.
A prayer service and military honors will be held at 2pm on December 3, 2020 in front of the chapel at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Rd., Memphis, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be sent to Birthright of Memphis, The Church Health Center, or the charity of your choice.
