Gerald William Rieger
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 Sept. 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, Wyo., and Blytheville, Ark. 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, Aug. 2, 2019, visitation was held with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home located at 3001 S. College Ave., Bryan, TX 77801. A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church located at 507 East 26th Street, Bryan, TX. Internment was in the 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