Dr. Joe Gerault

November 5, 2018

Dr. Joe Gerault departed this world on November 5th, 2018. He is in Heaven, by God's gracious provision. He had Ataxia, a progressive, incurable, and always fatal illness. He knew this for several years, but in recent times it sped up its progression. He graduated from Howard Payne University in Brownwood in 1977. He then went on to attend several institutions of higher learning, where he would earn a specialist's certification in gerontology,a Master's in Religious Education,and a Doctorate degree in Educational Ministries. Prior to coming to the Rio Grande Valley, Joe served on staffs of churches in St. Louis, Missouri, Hillsboro,Tx., and Ft. Worth, Tx. In addition to his church staff duties; he found time to be a dedicated writer, teacher, occasional preacher, and a professor on several continents. He also served in several leadership positions in several professional, public and denominational organizations. He and his wife came to the Valley in 1993. He served on staff at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen almost nineteen years, until the progression of his Ataxia made it necessary for him to resign. While at Calvary, he was able to organize the Sunday School and oversee it. Additionally, he oversaw remodeling in all the buildings of the church; as well as serving as consultant/church representative on the construction of two buildings. He is preceded in death by both his parents (Levenia and Andre Leon Gerault) and by his oldest sister (Donna Treonne Gerault Odom Wick). He is survived by his wonderful bride of over 42 years, Janet Kay Calhoun Gerault (HPU '79) his sister, Andrea Louise Peterson, and her husband, Dr. Wes Peterson, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and his sister Katie Nealeigh (HPU '76) of Terrell, Texas, six nieces and nephews, eight great-nieces and nephews, and three great-great nieces, all of whom he loved very much. There will be two services so people can pick the one closest to them and most convenient. A Memorial service will be held at Calvalry Baptist Church, 1600 Harvey in McAllen, on November 10 at 5:00pm, family visitation at 4:30. And, a memorial service will be held at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 740 S. Edmonds,Lewisville, Texas on November 12th at 2:30 pm For a memorial gift, people may contrIbute to StudentCenterProject.com or MissionDignity.org