GERARDUS “JERRY” JOHANNES SMITH
1937-2018
Gerardus “Jerry” Johannes Smith, of Houston, Texas passed from this world on Friday, December 7th, 2018. Named for his grandfather, Gerardus Johannes, Jerry was born on April 17, 1937, in New York City.
Jerry grew up with his brother Neil in the borough of Queens in New York City. The first son of Cornelius and Adrianna Smith, Jerry enjoyed sports and played baseball and basketball for Woodrow Wilson High School in Queens. Jerry proudly served in the United States Army from 1957-1959 as a Specialist in the Army’s Ballistic Missile Program. He graduated from Farleigh Dickenson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1964, Jerry married Maureen Ann Devlin of Bronx, New York.
Jerry and Maureen had three children; Gerardus “Jerry” Jr., Chris, and the favorite, Susan Ellen Smith. In 1974, the family moved from New Jersey, where Jerry worked as a packaging engineer for M&M Mars, to Houston. Jerry was a supervisor of packaging at the Uncle Ben’s Rice facility on Westheimer Road. He earned a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston. Jerry went on to serve in various engineering roles in the oilfield to include coating oilfield tubulars for AMF Tuboscope, Inc.
However, Jerry’s real love was his family. He spent countless hours coaching the various sports teams of his children, which included basketball, baseball, softball and football. He never missed a game. Even when his children were in high school and he was no longer the coach, he could always be seen in the stands, cheering on his kids. When the children were small, he would sing Zip-ADee-Doo-Dah and Country Roads to his daughter Susan each night before bed. When they were older, Jerry shared Aggie season football tickets with his son Chris and he went to Astros and Texans games with Jerry Jr.
Jerry loved his grandkids calling him “Opa” in recognition of his Dutch heritage. As he did with his children, Opa went to all the sporting events of his eight grandkids.
He was the center of two generations of our family. He made us all laugh with his funny sayings such as “Like a sock on a chicken.”
Jerry and Maureen’s circle of friends revolved around St. John Vianney Catholic Church; the Rieglers, Horaks, Lovois, Kurkas, Kellys, Cannistras, Vincents, Gunders, DiSoudis, Holtons, Halls, Kuziks, O’Briens, Steffes and many other founding parishioners. Many wonderful summers were spent with their church friends and all the kids in Padre Island, New Braunfels, and Hot Springs Arkansas.
Later in life, when his children were grown, Jerry discovered a love of the sea. A Diamond Plus Member, he went on dozens of cruises all over the world with his friend Peggie Sarubbi.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Adrianna Smith and his lovely wife Maureen who passed in 2003. He is survived by his brother, Neil Smith of Newport News, Virginia. Jerry is also survived by his three children; Jerry Jr., Chris (wife Courtney) and Susan McNally (husband Rob); and eight grandchildren; Lexxi Smith (Jerry Jr.), Luke McNally, Logan McNally, Liam McNally, Laney McNally, Grace Smith (Chris), Grant Smith (Chris) and Shae Smith (Chris); and cousins and extended family in California, Holland, and the U.K. He is also survived by Levi, Louis, Bosley, Ranger and two unnamed tropical fish.
Jerry was a loving father and grandfather. He was great friend. His passing is a great loss for Houston, for his friends, and most of all for his family, who already miss him dearly.
Visitation will take place at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home on Tuesday December 11th from 5-8pm with a Rosary at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church located at 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail Houston, Texas 77079 on Wednesday December 12th at 10:30 am.