Gerald Gest, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, at the age of 86 in La Grange, Texas. Gerald, known lovingly as “Jerry” to his friends and family, and “Papa” or “Big Papa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born on February 1, 1939, in the small town of Nechanitz, Texas. He was a man of strong faith, an avid gardener, and a skilled craftsman in the art of restoring antiques.