Walter E. “Walt” Gerard Sr. of Irrigon died on May 6, 2022 in Hermiston at the age of 85.
He was born on June 13, 1936 in Lexington to Ernest and Wilma Morris Gerard.
Walt was raised and attended school in Lexington. He later lived in Hood River, where he worked in logging for a time and later as a supervisor at Diamond Fruit Growers. Walt was united in marriage to Evelyn Whitbeck on Dec. 1, 1955 in Stevenson, Wash. They moved to Irrigon in 1974 and Walt went to work for Oregon Potato. He retired in 2021 after 47 years as the maintenance manager.
Walt enjoyed fixing things, fishing, his cows, camping and farming his land. He loved animals, and the grandchildren have many wonderful memories of him taking them to the Portland Zoo.
He is survived by his son, Walter Gerard Jr., Irrigon; brother, Lawrence Gerard, Goldendale, Wash.; grandchildren, Jeremy, Rocky, Tiffany and Jasmine; great grandchildren, Hunter, Jade, Maylee, Coleman and Sadie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Walt was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Gerard; son, Roger Gerard; daughter, Delma Gerard; and his parents.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 10 a.m. at the Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Irrigon.
Please share memories of Walt with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
Walt was a long time customer and mentor to me and our team at Steam Engineering. We worked with Walt for 35 years on boilers and steam systems for Or Potato. Try as I might, I never got to the plant ahead of him. He was an early riser and a late stayer at work. “Old School” man.
A nice man, tough but fair, and I always enjoyed his stories of driving a team of horses as a child of 5-6.
Rest well Ol Friend.
Bill Stanwood
Vancouver, WA
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