1934
Gerald
2015
Gerald Elder
August 17, 1934 — March 27, 2015
Gerald Elder, age 80, died peacefully on Friday, March 27th at his home in Sweetwater following a long illness.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Broadway Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Stephens and Chris Litt officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.
Gerald was born on August 17, 1934 in Fisher County, TX, the son of Ira Rickman and Eppie Mae (Jones) Elder. He spent most of his childhood in Muleshoe, TX. After graduating from Muleshoe High School in l953, he worked at the local Piggly Wiggly store. In l957, Gerald was drafted by the Army and served for two years stationed primarily in Germany. During his service, he rose to the rank of Seargeant. After serving in the Army, he moved to Floydada, Texas and was employed by Piggly Wiggly as the store manager. While working in Floydada, he met his wife, Barbara Flowers, at his store. Their first date was a Valentines event and they were married on June 15, 1962 at First Baptist Church in Perryton, TX. They moved to Lubbock, TX shortly thereafter where Gerald was the store manager of another Piggly Wiggly store. He not only took pride in his serviing his customers, but truly relished his co-workers and employees that he managed during his time in business. He eventually started working for Lawrence Brothers Management managing one of their grocery stores in Slaton, Texas. In 1981, he was given the role of Grocery Supervisor eventually overseeing up to 30 grocery stores for the Lawrence Brothers Management company and moved his family to Sweetwater, TX. Gerald was a member of the Broadway Baptist Church in Sweetwater serving amongst other things as a deacon at the time of his death.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Barbara (Flowers) Elder; his sons, Randy Elder and wife Elizabeth of McKinney, TX; Lance Elder of Watauga, TX; two grandchildren, Jake and Katy, a brother, Thurman Elder and family of Portales, NM, and a sister, Freda Long and family of Muleshoe, TX and many nephews and nieces.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Mae Elder, a sister, Ruby Elder, and two brothers, George Elder and James Elder.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, March 30, 2015 from 6:00 - 7:30 P.M.,
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons or donor's favorite charity.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Broadway Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Stephens and Chris Litt officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.
Gerald was born on August 17, 1934 in Fisher County, TX, the son of Ira Rickman and Eppie Mae (Jones) Elder. He spent most of his childhood in Muleshoe, TX. After graduating from Muleshoe High School in l953, he worked at the local Piggly Wiggly store. In l957, Gerald was drafted by the Army and served for two years stationed primarily in Germany. During his service, he rose to the rank of Seargeant. After serving in the Army, he moved to Floydada, Texas and was employed by Piggly Wiggly as the store manager. While working in Floydada, he met his wife, Barbara Flowers, at his store. Their first date was a Valentines event and they were married on June 15, 1962 at First Baptist Church in Perryton, TX. They moved to Lubbock, TX shortly thereafter where Gerald was the store manager of another Piggly Wiggly store. He not only took pride in his serviing his customers, but truly relished his co-workers and employees that he managed during his time in business. He eventually started working for Lawrence Brothers Management managing one of their grocery stores in Slaton, Texas. In 1981, he was given the role of Grocery Supervisor eventually overseeing up to 30 grocery stores for the Lawrence Brothers Management company and moved his family to Sweetwater, TX. Gerald was a member of the Broadway Baptist Church in Sweetwater serving amongst other things as a deacon at the time of his death.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Barbara (Flowers) Elder; his sons, Randy Elder and wife Elizabeth of McKinney, TX; Lance Elder of Watauga, TX; two grandchildren, Jake and Katy, a brother, Thurman Elder and family of Portales, NM, and a sister, Freda Long and family of Muleshoe, TX and many nephews and nieces.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Mae Elder, a sister, Ruby Elder, and two brothers, George Elder and James Elder.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, March 30, 2015 from 6:00 - 7:30 P.M.,
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons or donor's favorite charity.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Elder, please visit our flower store.