Gerald “Gerry” Lee Dockins (1935-2024)
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. Gerald “Gerry” Lee Dockins, 88, of Dardenne Prairie, died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on April 25, 2024.
He was born in Clarkton, MO in 1935 to Alva and Lela Dockins. He had 3 siblings: Chelma, Deral, and Sue. In the early 1940s their family moved to Gideon, MO, where Gerry went to school. Later, while he was still in school, his family moved to a farm outside of Gideon to a community called Peach Orchard. Alva and Lela taught Gerry the love of Jesus and nature; which was very obvious in his love of the gospel and gardening - even hybridizing daylilies.
Gerry joined the US Army in 1957 before honorably discharged from active duty in 1960 for higher education but remained in the Army reserves until 1963. He attended St. Louis University’s engineering school, Parks College, where he graduated in 1964. During this time he owned and ran a boarding house on Crittenden Street in St. Louis, and had many stories to tell about it. He later attended Webster College (now University) for his Masters in Arts in 1976. He worked for the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command (AVSCOM) for 35 years until retiring in 1997.
In 1971 he met the love of his life, Nancy, at their church, First Baptist Church of St. Charles; where he was a member for 50+ years. Gerry and Nancy were married February 12, 1972 in this very place. Upon marrying Nancy, he became a father to Nancy’s daughter, Sheila. A year later, Gerry and Nancy grew their family by having their son, Michael. He was a loving grandfather to his two granddaughters, Danielle and Shelby Johnson.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him; though comfort can be found knowing that he has entered the Kingdom of Heaven and is having his own reunion with family, friends, and pets who have gone on before him. His memory will be kept alive through his extensive "Pop-isms"/"Gerry-isms" and stories he told.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Chelma Jordan, brother Deral; and nephews Carter Rowe and Brad Rowe. He is survived by his wife Nancy; daughter Sheila (Garth) Johnson; his son Michael Dockins; his granddaughters Danielle (Ryan) Johnson and Shelby (Jeff) Johnson; sister Sue (Randy) Rowe; sister-in-law Harriet Dockins; nephews David Rowe, Keith Jordan, Gene Jordan, Greg Dockins, and Chris Dockins; nieces Paula Diehl, Susan Jordan, Dera Lynn Dockins-Ronquillo, and Kim Woodward.