Obituary: Gerald E. Gartrell, February 22, 2013

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
April 2015
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The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, TX - March 1, 2013

Gerald E. Gartrell passed away on February 22, 2013, in the Robert Lee 
Care Center in Robert Lee, Texas, after along and courageous battle with 
dementia. A celebration of his life was held at 2 pm, Tuesday, February 26, 
2013, at the Robert Lee Baptist Church, officiated by John Davis and 
Chuck King. Arrangements were by Shaffer Funeral Home.

Gerry was born Sunday, March 31, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Clyde 
Thomas and Dessie Gartrell. Gerry always claimed to be a Texan, as he moved 
to Texas as a one year old. He said he couldn't get to Texas fast enough! 
He graduated from Tuloso - Midway High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, in
1964. Upon graduation, he attended Jacksonville Junior College. On 
June 6, 1966, Gerry voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Officer - 
2nd Lieutenant. Gerry was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant on 
May 26, 1969. 

He then proudly attended and graduated in 1971 from the 
University of Texas in Austin, Texas. He earned his Master's Degree in 
Education from Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, in 1990. Upon 
graduation from UT, his first Teacher/Coach position was in Refugio, 
Texas. He also coached in Rockwall and Kaufman, Texas. As coaches do, 
he had several job changes but found his love in west Texas and 
Six-Man football. He proudly coached in Guthrie, Lazbuddie, Whitharral 
and Ft. Davis, Texas. His dream of taking his football team to the 
play-offs in the State Championship was fulfilled with two teams - 
Whitharal Panthers in 1996 and Ft. Davis Indians in 2003.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Tom Rushing, 
many aunts and uncles, and his daughter, Teresa Lynn Gartrell.

Gerry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judy Rushing Gartrell; sons, 
Chris Gartrell and Greg Gartrell; brothers, Tom Gartrell and wife Linda 
of Kemp, Texas, and Ronald Gartrell and wife Rebecca of Payne Springs, 
Texas; sister Lou Ann Beverly and husband Mike of Boling Green, Kentucky; 
brother and sister-in-law Bob Rushing and wife Donna of Beeville, Texas, 
Patsy Rushing of Vacaville, California.; granddaughters, Larissa Gartrell 
of San Antonio and Baleigh Christine Gartrell of Midland; grandsons, 
Jason and Justin Gartrell of San Antonio; nieces and nephews 
Rhonda Gartrell Crowell, Mark Gartrell, Steven Beverly, David Beverly, 
Patrick Beverly, Glen Rushing and Ronda Evans. He is survived by many 
beloved friends, players and coaches, along with his babies - Gabby, 
Angel, Buster, Tinker and Gus.
 
A special thank you to all the nurses and support staff from the Robert 
Lee Care Center - you are all angels! "Those we have held in our arms for 
a while - We hold in our hearts forever".


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