Gerald Allen Stroud

Gerald was the middle of three children. He grew up in Wyandotte County, Kansas.

Gerald joined the navy at age 19 stationed on the Mccoy Reynolds during the Korean War where he witnessed much death and destruction which haunted him for the remainder his life. He himself was badly wounded and almost lost his own life.

He moved to Washington State where he met and married Nancy Marie (Midkiff) Stroud on September 5th 1959 they were married 64 years and had 3 children Denise (Terry) Blume, Lorri (Greg) Real, and Geraldine (William) Crews.

Gerald was a mechanic by trade and worked many jobs in his lifetime, Boeing, Pacific NW Bell, AT&T, and retired from the State of Washington.

We referred to him as MacGyver as he could make anything out of nothing.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting very much.

He is preceded by his parents, brothers Donald (Janet) Stroud, James (Karen) Stroud.

Sons-in-law Terry Blume and Shawn Nichols and Wife Nancy M. Stroud.

He is survived by children Denise (Terry) Blume, Lorri (Greg) Real, and Geraldine (William) Crews.

Six grandchildren Lynnaya, Leah, Shawn, Dominique, Aubrey, and Ryan.

Seven great grandchildren Elijah, Maylina, Aujanay, Georgia, Amaria, Hazel and Violet.

And numerous nieces and nephews.

Gerald's graveside service will be held on September 7th, 2024 at noon at the Pioneer Cemetery with military honors.

FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS

BRAVO ZULU.

Some select words from his beloved book of keepsakes:

Sailing Home

What is it the billowing waves impart, and repeat and repeat with each dash. What is the pounding in my heart? I'm Sailing Home at Last.

The salt spray stings on the naked cheek and the wind sings in the mast, but it only sings because it knows I'm Sailing Home.

Was it centuries since we sailed away out of the harbor there, or was it only yesterday? I don't know or care.

For gone are the lonely nights and the mid tropical isles alone and gone is the hunger there. At last I'm Sailing Home.

And tho the sailor sails the seas and in distant places roam, there is not "call" that quite so sweet as the call "I'm Sailing Home".

By Sherman Walgren, May 1942 - Aboard USS North Hampton

The clock of life is wound but once,

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,

To lose one's health is more,

To lose one's soul is such a loss

That no man can restore.

The present only is our own,

So live, love, toil with a will,

Place no faith in "Tomorrow,"

For the Clock may then be still

By Robert H. Smith, 1932

Life is but a journey on a train,

With a pair of travelers at each windowpane.

I may sit beside you the whole journey through,

Or i may be seated elsewhere, never knowing you.

Bet if fate should mark me to sit at your side,

Let's be pleasant travelers, it's so short a ride.

- Author Unknown