Gerald William Rieger

Gerald William Rieger
September 11, 1933 – July 29, 2019

Gerald William Rieger of Bryan, Texas went to join the Lord and his wife of 65 years on July 29, 2019.

Gerald was born on September 11, 1933 near Westphalia to Joseph and Bertha Rieger. He attended Lott High School where he played football. He has been of Catholic faith his entire life and married Barbara June Hammond on June 16, 1953 at Sacred Heart Church in Lott. They raised a wonderful family that consisted of a daughter, Nancy, and three sons, Gerald, Jr. (Gerry), Kenneth, and Paul.

Gerald was in the Air Force from 1953 to 1957 and was on assignments around the world. In the United States he was stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Blytheville, Arkansas. After Gerald got out of the Air Force, they moved to Temple where they lived for 25 years until they moved to Bryan where he lived his remaining years.

For most of Gerald’s business life he was a bread route salesman and supervisor for Mrs. Baird’s Bread. You always knew where he was in a store by the jingling of money in his pocket as he walked. Later in his career he owned a Pepperidge Farm franchise.

While living in Temple, he was a very active member at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He served on the Finance Committee for many years, managed various fundraisers, and was an usher at the church. When they moved to Bryan, they were devoted parishioners of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister.

He was very active with the Brazos County Senior Citizens Association and was a proud Democrat. Barbara and Gerald had just recently celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary. Up until the recent passing of his wife, Barbara, he devoted three years of his life to being her caregiver while she was coping with challenges from a stroke.

Gerald loved sports, in particular any sport that his children or grandchildren played. His first sports love was baseball. He was a fantastic volunteer baseball coach of youth in Temple from 1965 to 1975, as evidenced by the many former players who have expressed their condolences. He loved to play dominoes whether it was 42, 88, or straight dominoes.

Gerald got the biggest sparkle in his eyes when he was around his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Gerald was preceded in death by Barbara, and his father, Joseph, his mother, Bertha, and his sister, Mary Ann. He is survived by his four children, and their spouses – Nancy and Ken Ramsey of Pflugerville, Gerry and Linda Rieger who live near Burnet, Ken and Lynda Rieger of Cypress, and Paul and Susan Rieger of Bryan, and his brothers, Leon and James Rieger. He has eleven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one more great grandchild on the way. On Friday, August 2nd, 2019, visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home located at 3001 S. College Ave., Bryan, TX 77801. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church located at 507 East 26th Street, Bryan, TX. Internment will be at Sacred Heart cemetery in Lott.

Flowers or condolences may be sent to Callaway-Jones Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gerald’s honor by cash, check, or money order to the Brazos County Senior Citizens Association, 1402 Bristol St, Bryan, TX 77802. The Association also accepts donations on their Facebook page.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com

Condolences

  1. To our cousin and all his family love and condolences. RIP Gerald. Norma Bolton, Lucille Whaley and our family.

  2. I am so sorry to hear Gerald passed away am praying for all of you All of us cousins grew up together and all are very close. Norma and I send our deepest sympathy to all . I am in Mc Kinney with Norma so do not know if I can make the funeral or not depends. May God Bless ease your sadness. Love Lucille

  3. Gerry , you and your family have our deepest sympathies at the loss of your Dad. David and I regret we can’t make his service but we are out of state. Please know our prayers are with you

  4. I never knew Mr. Rieger as well as I knew his sons, but you can tell much about a father through his children. Mr. & Mrs. Rieger raised a great family who lives on, and he will smile down upon them as they celebrate his life. God bless them all.

  5. Both Gerald and Barbara were such special people. It’s difficult to see that they both have passed now. I would always look forward to seeing Gerald at the Westphalia picnic or family events. He had a special way of lighting up with twinkling eyes and a smile that made you feel so welcome and that he was excited to see you. Barbara, of course was one of the sweetest people I’ve even met in my life. When I saw them together you could tell they were still in love even after so many years together. When I saw Gerald at my father’s internment (his cousin) at Sacred Heart cemetery (where Barbara is also) last November it was a comfort to see him and he once again he lit up and gave me a wonderful hug. It’s a nice last memory of him and one that helped me get through a difficult day. Afterward, we talked for a while and I could tell how much he still loved Barbara and how deeply he missed her. I hate that both are no longer here with us but take comfort that they are together once again. It’s a peaceful thought for two wonderful family members that are dearly missed.

  6. I had the privilege of being fellow parishioner of Gerald and Nancy Rieger while at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Temple. Their outstanding Christian example was model for all. I just talked to a parishioner, whose son found a job when he finished high school through Gerald’s help. That’s how this family was – friend to all.
    My deepest condolence to Gerald’s children and their families.
    Loris Edwards

  7. We want to offer to the Rieger family our heartfelt condolences along with our love and prayers on the loss of Gerald. He will truly be missed.
    May God rest his soul.
    Bill & Carol Smetana

  8. Dear Paul, Ken and Family,
    My family was saddened to hear that Mr. Rieger passed away. The Rieger’s were great neighbors to the Strickland’s for several years and we cherish those memories. Our thoughts and prayers are and will continue to be with you.
    With much love,
    Joel and Linda Strickland

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