Clifford A. Gerald - Satellite Beach

Clifford A. Gerald, age 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2010.

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Vera; son, Robert (Sandy) of Tampa; daughters, Patricia Jackson (Marvin) and Deirdre Glaser (Kevin) of Melbourne; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Fuller (Richard), Robert Gerald, Samantha Bowman (Jason), Christina Gerald, and Jennifer Robinson (Brooks) two great-grandchildren, Evan Lucas Robinson and Wyatt Carter Bowman; sisters, Ruby Leih of Racine, WI, Patsy Gerald, of Crandon, WI, sister-in-law Sharon Gerald, Crandon, WI, and brother, Arnold (Sandra) of Deland. He also leaves a wonderful family friend and neighbor of over 40 years, Helen Allison of Satellite Beach. He was predeceased by his brothers, Ervin and Gordon Gerald, brother-in-law, Jake Leih and his parents, Sylvester and Mabel Radtke Gerald.

Dad began his military career in 1945 with the mule pack in Ft. Sill, OK. In October, 1948 he was honorably discharged from the Army and re-enlisted in the Air Force in February, 1949. Dad met Mom while stationed in England. He was a member of the Air Force bowling and softball teams and had the opportunity to represent our country, bowling in Europe as well as the U.S. A long time resident of Satellite Beach, Dad was the first bowler to average 200 in Brevard County.

He received an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1975 and went to work for Bendix and Pan Am at the Cape as a safety supervisor. His military and civilian career encompassed 149 missile launches, and 19 rides on submarines out of Port Canaveral. He reviewed and approved test and handling procedures for the moon and GPS launches from Kennedy Space Center.

Besides his family and friends our father loved animals, working with plants and the Green Bay Packers. He would never be without his Packer hat and sunglasses. One of his greatest thrills was the time he bowled with Don Hudson, Green Bay Packer and Hall of Fame great.

No local services will be held. Dad will be taken back to Wisconsin to be reunited with his family in Crandon. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the William Childs Hospice House, 1425 Malabar Rd NE, Palm Bay, FL 32907 or a favorite charity.