Edward Gerlach

Edward “Jeeps” “Pappie” Gerlach, 79, a wonderful husband and loving father passed away Friday, October 16th, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas due to complications of cancer.  He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Kathy; his son Eddie Gerlach (Penny); his daughters Dawn Gladwin and Lisa Kirsch; his brothers George Gerlach and Stephen Marr, sister Josette Scodari (Joe) and sister-n-law Linda Marr; his nieces and nephew Theresa, Katie, Stephanie and Nicholas; his grandchildren Taylor, Tori, Adam, Tiffany and Shaun; his great nieces and nephew Olivia, Cecelia and RJ.  His great grandchildren Devyn, Logan, Lillyan, Landyn and Jazzmyn.  He is predeceased in death by his mother, Norma Bletsch, his father Edward Gerlach and step-mother, Josephine Gerlach.

He faithfully served in the Navy for 2 years as a Boilerman Petty Officer 3rd Class on the U.S.S. Ault out of Norfolk, Virginia.  He met Kathy in 1959 in Cleveland, Ohio, married in 1963 and they started their family with Eddie arriving in 1964, Dawn in 1965 and Lisa in 1969.  He was an Electrodesign Engineer for over 20 years.  He loved playing, coaching and refereeing soccer in Cincinnati, Ohio for many, many years. Ed enjoyed traveling, fishing, swimming in the ocean and was an avid poker player.  Many remember him for his fondness of animals, especially snakes and birds. His loud laugh that could be heard around the corner, wearing t-shirts with a pack of Pall Malls rolled up in his sleeve, his motorcycle or Nissan Z28 speeding down the street or his infectious “um bubba” (his version of bye bye) when hanging up the phone.

Ed requested no service or funeral, but to be cremated and have his ashes spread in the Gulf of Mexico where his parents were laid to rest. In leu of flowers, donations in his name could be made to your local “no-kill” animal shelter.