The Excelsior Standard, June 23, 2023

May 7, 1952–May 28, 2023 Gerry Lemmons, 71, beloved husband

Gerry Lemmons

of 46 years to Iva Lemmons, went to be with the Lord on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023. Gerry was born on May 7, 1952, in El Paso, Texas. Gerry loved life. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a great positivity of spirit. He was always looking forward through the many trials with his health. He took the cards he was dealt in life and made the best of them, teaching himself to walk again three times. As his wife Iva shares, “He was truly my hero.”

Gerry had a long and diverse musical career, beginning with writing music for his high school plays in El Paso. He performed his signature nightclub act from coast to coast to put himself through college at North Texas State University.

After college, he was musical director for Holland America Line aboard the S.S. Rotterdam V and S.S. Statendam III, playing for many well-known stars. In Denver, Colo., he was the principal organist at North Presbyterian Church, playing a 29 Rank Wicks pipe organ. He also ran their well-received food bank and soup kitchen.

In Excelsior Springs, he played the organ at the First United Methodist Church, the keyboard at the Slightly Off Broadway Theatre and the keyboard with a musical group for the senior center.

He worked in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and Panama City Beach, Fla., at ASA Airlines as station manager. In Denver, he worked for Frontier Airlines as the director of internal communications.

While in Denver, he was the president of the Intermountain Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Historical Society and had a vast network of railroading friends across the United States. He was an on-board manager of two private railcars. He immensely enjoyed his many trips and absolutely loved to travel.

Gerry had great compassion for all people, and was a wonderful speaker and writer.

He is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Iva; his sister, Sylvia; numerous nieces and nephews; and his best friend, Daisy.

Please join us to remember a truly wonderful man. His celebration of life service will be on Saturday, June 24, at the First United Methodist Church of Excelsior Springs. Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m., service at 10, with a graveside service to follow at the Excelsior Springs Masonic Cemetery. Lunch will be at the First United Methodist Church following the graveside service.

Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Excelsior Springs, the Slightly Off Broadway Theatre or the Good Samaritan Center in Excelsior Springs.

Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and caring.