Oliver Gerland

Oliver V. Gerland was born January 7, 1925, to Lydia and Ollie Louis Gerland in Greenvine, Texas.  He lived a full life and passed away at the age of 96 in Tomball, Texas.

The church service will be held Thursday, January 6th, at First Baptist Church in Somerville, at 11am, with Bro. Corby Brizendine officiating. The family will receive guests at the church from 10am - 11am.  The burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery with Military Honors provided by VFW post# 4458.

At the age of 7 he moved to the north side of Houston with his parents, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters. He attended Jeff David High School through his junior year.  He enlisted into the Army on January 1, 1943.  He served with the 835th Engineer Battalion, Company C and operated a bulldozer used in the construction and maintenance of airstrips and airfields.

Oliver served in the Rome-Arno, Northern Apennines, Southern France, and Rhineland Campaigns.  He received the marksman Rifle badge along with the American Theater ribbon with 4 Bronze stars and 1 Bronze arrowhead, good conduct medal, Victory ribbon and 2 overseas service bars.  Oliver loved his country and was proud of his service.

On one of his last leaves, he met the light of his life, Doris Geraldine “Jerry” Hibler at Lindale Lake where she was lifeguard.  They were married September 25, 1945, and he was discharged November 6, 1945.  After his military service, he worked for Lester Goodson Pontiac as a body man repairing automobiles.  He was awarded many certificates for his excellent workmanship.

After 32 years with Goodson, he retired in 1981 and moved to Somerville, Texas where he lived his dream of being a rancher.  He enjoyed working with and raising cattle.  He would plant and bale his own hay, at baling time his grandsons would come and work with him from sunrise to early afternoon bailing, loading, and stacking hay.  If they did well, he would take them to Lake Somerville for an afternoon of swimming, skiing, and rafting behind his boat.

Oliver loved to fish and would go everyday that he could, with a bounty of fish he caught he and Jerry would hold dinners for family, friends, and his church family.  Good food and conversations were had by all.

He also was an avid deer hunter having provided many pounds of deer meat to his family.  He shot his last big buck when he was 92 years of age from his back patio.

His health began to decline and in June 2019, he moved to assisted living at The Heritage in Tomball, Texas.

Leaving to mourn his passing are his son Bill and spouse Barbara Gerland, daughter Pamula and spouse Ronald Stewart.  Six grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife Jerry, daughters Martha Berry, and Deborah White True.  His grandchildren Duane White, Patrick White Jr., and Michael Blackwood Jr., and great granddaughter Gracie Gerland.

Serving as Pallbearers are Jonathan Gerland, Wayne Stewart, Scott Stewart, Ben Breckenridge, Joseph Gerland, and Ryan Stewart