After graduating in 1941 from Robinson High School, Robinson, IL, he married his high school sweetheart, Anna Margaret Pettyjohn.
Gerald served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre. During this service he was awarded the Purple Heart.
After farming in the Palestine, IL area for a few years, he changed his vocation to the oil service industry beginning with Birdwell in Robinson, IL.
In 1969 he transferred to Portland, TX where he began employment with ThorJet which later became Dialog. As a station manager, he also lived in Bay City and Alice until moving to the Houston area office while living in Missouri City.
During all of his life, Gerald was an active member of a Baptist church congregation. After retirement, one of Gerald and Margaret’s favorite activities was singing with the Silvertones, entertaining in area retirement and nursing facilities.
Having moved to The Plantation at Quail Valley, Gerald’s wife of 63 years passed away of injuries due to a fall. One of their neighbors helped him adjust to living alone by bringing him home cooked meals.
Wanda C. Busch, who survives him, became his wife on October 14, 2006 and she brought happiness back to his life and joined him singing with the Silvertones.
Gerald is survived by his children Annita (Chuck) West of Aransas Pass,TX, Nancy (Charlie) Fields of New Port Richey, FL, Rich (Linda) Bryan of Missouri City, Tx and Greg (Brenda) Bryan of Granbury, TX, 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, 20 nieces and nephews and his wife’s four children and their families.
Expressions of sympathy may be made by donations to Sugar Land Baptist Church, Sugar Land, TX.
Visitation will be held at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home 12555 S. Kirkwood, Stafford, TX on Sunday April 26th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Family will be present to receive friends at that time.
Services will be held at Sugar Land Baptist Church, 16755 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX on Monday April 27th at 11:00 AM.
Interment will follow at Brookside Memorial Park, 13401 Eastex Freeway at Lauder Road, Houston, TX.
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