LOCKETT, Gerald Lee "Jerry" - b. January 27, 1944 - d. September 3, 2023

[patyrn]

Gerald Lee "Jerry" Lockett passed away on September 3, 2023 at the age of 79,  He was born on January 27, 1944 in Agadir, Morocco where his father, George. was stationed as a Navy pilot participating in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa in World War II.   

George had met and married his wife, Elise in Casablanca.  As the war progressed, George arranged for Elise and 5-month-old Gerald to fly to the United States where they moved to Missouri.  After the war, George attended the University of Kansas Medical School and became a doctor.

Gerald was the oldest of five children. He lived with his family in Moline, Kansas where he attended the local schools and graduated from Moline High School with the Class of 1962. When he was just sixteen, his father passed away, and Gerald stepped up and played a key role, supporting the family and helping his mother earn a college degree which led to her becoming a high school French teacher.

Gerald went to college at Emporia State University where he met his future wife, Carol Girard. They married in 1964 and moved to the St. Louis, Missouri area and had three children, Lisa, Kimberly, and Christopher.  Gerald was the owner of a chemical processing company and later was a principal in a firm specializing in business mergers and acquisitions.  Other ventures included a custom wood product maker in New Zealand and a United States sporting knife company.  Her held several patents on products and systems developed. 

Gerald was involved in sports and other activities.  He played football for several years in college and continued with touch football throughout his 30s.  He loved riding motorcycles, hot air ballooning, water skiing, boating, and piloting his airplane for business and pleasure.  He was heavily involved in his kids' activities, especially football from little leage on.  He was a past president of the USNA Parents Club of St. Louis Missouri. 

Gerald was a people person and loved to talk and make new friends.  He also had his own personal way of talking with Christ and is rejoicing with Him now.  Gerald will live in our hearts forever.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Carol, his companion of 59 years as well as his business associate; his children, Lisa Lockett Jackson, Kimberly Jo Lockett Ruch, and Christopher Scott Lockett; and his grandchildren, Natalie Meyers, Andrew Meyers, Zachary Meyers, Taylor Meyers, Nathaniel Jackson, Lauren Jackson, Nicholas Lockett, Madison Lockett, Jennifer Ruch, and Jessica Mitchell  Gerald was proud he had a great-grandddaughter, Rosalie Meyers.  Also mourning his death are Gerald's siblings, Karen Lockett Hoard, Randall Lockett, Geoffrey Lockett, and Deborah Lockett Lee.

A Celebration of Life was held on September 6, 2023 at the Chapel of the Lake, 11000 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Lake St. Louis, Missouri. 

(taken from the  Baue Funeral Home website)

[Ole Granny]

Prayers for the family.