Donald Gerdes, Jr.

Donald Bernard Gerdes, Jr., 32, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away January 16, 2015. He was born April 8, 1982 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Donald was an altar server at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church from the 4th grade until he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was a 2000 graduate of Calallen High School and received his Electrical Engineering degree with honors from Texas A & M University in Kingsville. He was an Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop #73. Donald was a U. S. Army veteran and Korean linguist, serving one tour in Korea and two combat tours in Iraq. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Roger and Mildred Gerdes, and his maternal grandparents, Virgil Preston and Opal Nola Dunbar. He is survived by son, Lucas David Gerdes; his parents, Judy and Donald Gerdes; his sister, Wendy Gerdes, his foster brother, Travis Yeary; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Rosary will be recited at 7 P.M. Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. Friday, January 23, 2015 at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Seamus McGown as celebrant. He will receive full military honors and be laid to rest at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at Noon, Friday, January 23, 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in his name.