Gerald Thomas "Jerry" Stringer

Memorial services for Gerald Thomas “Jerry” Stringer, 85, of Houston will be held Monday, December 5 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, 13207 Orleans Street in Houston, Texas with Reverend Mike Lindstrom and Reverend Ellen Denise Junious officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home. Inurnment is planned on March 11, 2023 at Harmony United Methodist Church in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Jerry was born April 7, 1937 in Picayune, Mississippi to the late Lois (Penton) and Tom “Tally” Stringer. He passed away peacefully on November 28, 2022 and entered the church triumphant with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He grew up fishing and playing baseball and basketball surrounded by his aunts and uncles. In 1956, he met his spring chicken, Frances, while working at the local movie theatre in Magnolia, Arkansas. They were married and started a family, having two daughters, Anne and Beth. Jerry and Frances built their life around their daughters in Houston, Texas, coaching softball and being involved in the United Methodist Church.

Jerry was a father figure to many throughout his life, including his grandson, Joshua, and son-in-law, Tim. He rarely missed a baseball game, choir recital, handbell performance, cheerleading competition, football game, or school event; and you could bet your bottom dollar he would be at every graduation, awards ceremony, or major event in the lives of his grandchildren and later, great grandchildren. He could be counted on for advice, a listening ear, a meal, or a simple hug anytime.

Jerry was a graduate of Bossier High School and the University of Houston. As a young man, he worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. As a civil engineer, his accomplishments were many, including runways at Hobby Airport and Love Field, numerous planned neighborhoods throughout Houston, and the athletic complex at Galena Park ISD. Jerry’s particular engineering interests were in bridges, underground utilities, and roadways; all were especially important in his ability to provide math tutoring to each of his grandchildren, some more than others. He was so good, he had a hard time quitting!

Jerry lived an abundant life. His legacy of love, encouragement, and belief in all of our dreams will live on in each of us. He worked tirelessly in his church home, Holy Trinity, in retirement. Jerry’s care and concern for those around him, family or friend, was an unmatched rarity in today’s world. Jerry was an avid lover of baseball, starting with the NY Yankees and ending with the Houston Astros. His favorite saying was to “pie” or pile on the runs!

Jerry is survived by his daughters, Anne Eaves and husband Tim of Bullard and Beth Gambill of Spring; grandchildren, Josh Gambill and wife Tiffany of League City, Kayleigh Temple and husband Zach of Tyler, Brett Eaves and wife Ashley of Houston, Bryan Eaves and wife Rebecca of Houston, Jodi Bonds and husband Sawyer of Spring; great-grandchildren,  Bryce and Braedynn Gambill, Emmett Holton, Evelyn and Jared Temple, Cecelia Eaves, and Zoey Bonds; brother-in-law, John Snider and wife Christine of Springhill, Louisiana; nieces, Donna Iverson and Martha Edens of Springhill, Louisiana; extended family members, Gary and Linda Stringer of Picayune, Mississippi and Sandra Nash of Hoover, Alabama.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 59 years, Frances Snider Stringer, and granddaughter, Holli Gambill Bailes.

Memorial contributions may be made to U.M. ARMY, P.O. Box 7545, Huntsville, Texas 77342 ( www.umarmy.org ) or Harmony United Methodist Church, 2260 Highway 160, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.