Obituary of John August Gerard

John August Gerard sadly left us on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, to a better place in Heaven, where he is reunited with our mother; Rose Marie Gerard, and our sister Barbara Ann Stall. He was born in Waterbury, Conn on Aug. 24, 1925, son of the late Joseph Gerard and Mary Christoph Gerard. He was a prominent 4-H Club of America leader in the 1950s into the 1960s, and a decorated veteran of World War II. Dad served his career with the U.S. government in safety engineering, which took his family from West Virginia to New Hampshire, and John and Rose eventually settled in Ogden, Utah, where he retired. This location proved to be a great family reunion site, which the family celebrated for more than 25 years. John and Rose returned to West Virginia to be close to her siblings and after her passing, he moved to Nevada for his son John and wife Carol, and the climate. Dad loved to travel and fish, which he took great advantage of, especially in Alaska visiting son Joe and wife Barb, and had a thing for Stone Mountain, Ga., while visiting son Jim and wife Sue. Ceramics was a big hobby of his, of which his family are all benefactors of his efforts. His son John and wife Carol, were a Godsend in his final years, being there for him in countless ways. Dad's heart was limitless in his love and generosity and his zest for life continuous. We will miss him until we meet again. He is survived by his children and spouses, John and Carol Gerard, Joe and Barbara Gerard, Jim and Susan Gerard, and Doug Stall; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dad's name may be made to Honor Flight Nevada Inc., P.O. Box 21123 Reno, NV 89515. A memorial service/celebration of life will be held at St. Zita Catholic Church in Masontown, WV on Friday April 22, 2016 at 10 a.m. with Father Andrew Switzer as celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the Masontown Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the church hall.