Dr. Donald “Doc” Gordon Gerard, age 94, son of John and Doris Gerard, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior, August 18, 2024. Don lived a long and active life.
He was born in Hart, Michigan on July 26, 1930. His family moved to Grand Rapids, where he graduated from South High School in 1948. He attended Grand Rapids JC (GRCC) prior to entering the US Army in 1953, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, serving out of Camp Breckinridge and Hawaii training bases. After leaving the service, he attended Calvin College, the University of Michigan and Medical School at Wayne State University.
Don worked at his parent’s bakery, Princess Bake Shop where he met Donna Walters. They married on August 27,1955 and moved to Detroit. Upon finishing medical school, Don and Donna moved their young family to Grand Rapids, MI where he completed his internship at Butterworth Hospital. He then moved to Lowell where he started a long career of service as a Family Practice Physician joining the medical practice with Orval McKay, MD.
Don served the Lowell community faithfully for over 50 years as a family physician attending to many families in the community. He was a faithful member at First Baptist Church of Lowell, singing in the choir and serving in many leadership positions. Don loved his Lowell Red Arrows. He was the team doctor of the football team and was a fixture on the sidelines at every game for over four decades. He also served as the team physician for the wrestling team. Other areas of service included time on the Lowell School board and various other local boards. He was a proud member of the Rotary club of Lowell as well. Upon retirement, he worked and volunteered at Cornerstone University and Clinica Santa Maria. He enjoyed his family, learning Spanish, travelling, gardening, baking and Maranatha ministries of Norton Shores, Michigan.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Donna, children Phil (Diane) Gerard, Becky (Phil) VanLaan, John (Lori) Gerard, Dolly (Bill) Johnson III, Jim (Polly) Gerard, and Betsy (Rick) Voetberg; 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild.
Visitation will be Friday, August 23, 2024, from 5-7PM at the First Baptist Church of Lowell, 2275 West Main St, Lowell, MI 49331. Services will be held at the church on Saturday, August 24th at 11AM with visitation one hour prior, lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Lowell.
3 Responses
Condolences from Kim and Kent McKay
He was my doctor for many years and I really appreciated his care and genuine concern for my health needs. He seemed to know even when God had transformed my life and without saying a word really we just knew we were in God’s family together!
Gerard Family,
It is with much sadness that I have learned of the death of “Doc”. My wife and I were traveling and unable to attend the s
ervices.
Your dad was such a big supporter of Gary Rivers and I in the late 70’s when we took over the varsity football program.
God bless him and thank you for sharing him with not only us, but with almost any Lowellite alive back then.
Mike Clark and Gayle Lycos
Former Lowell teachers