James "Jim" Eastman Gerhardt

James Eastman (Jim) Gerhardt, age 92, of Houston, died peacefully on Nov 29, 2021, in Houston, Texas of natural causes. He spent his final Thanksgiving and subsequent days surrounded by his loving children.

Jim led an amazing adventure of a life highlighted early on by his achievement of making the U.S. Olympic team in 1952 as a Triple Jumper and his ongoing pursuits in the National Senior Games, where he competed in a variety of events into his mid 80s. His passions did not cease there, as he also had a love of the arts, and frequented many performances over the years. Perhaps his largest passion revolved around his beloved Rice University (class of ’51), where he was an ardent supporter over many years. He was a routine basketball and football season ticket holder, an alumni member of multiple organizations and had never ending stories of the friends and experiences from Rice. A crowning personal achievement was realized in 1986 when Jim was inducted into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame.

Born in San Antonio in 1929, “Jimmy”, as he was known early on, spent most of his childhood in San Antonio TX where he graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1947. Jim would attend Rice University and join both the track and basketball squads. He would excel in both, and his track pursuits would lead him to qualify for the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952. Jim graduated from Rice in 1951 and would go on to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Texas in Austin. Soon thereafter he joined the Navy as an Officer in 1953 and served 3.5 years.

He accepted a job with Gulf Oil in 1956, where he would spend the next 30 years. He would eventually move into the role of Executive Director of the Information Services Division. A big highlight for him was managing many of the first computers (ever) brought into the company. While predominantly stationed in Houston, he did spend considerable stints of time in the 1960’s in both Venezuela and Kuwait and then later in Pennsylvania in the mid 70’s.

In 1957, Jim would marry the love of his life, Jo Lynn Smith. They met on the best blind date of his life and would spend 55 years together until her death in 2012. They would raise three amazing children, and they were integrally involved in each of the children’s lives. They loved to travel together, and both enjoyed their Thornwood neighborhood friends immensely.

Jim would take a retirement job in 1987 with Tal Smith Enterprises and would spend the next 22 years “retired” by working with Tal and his incredible team as they represented major league baseball teams in the arbitration process. The entire experience was a definite highlight in his life.

Jim was an incredibly caring and humble man who rarely met a stranger. His laughter and smile were things of legend, and he had the ability to disarm the most armed of people by his gentle nature. He will be remembered fondly by so many.

His legacy will be his family, who he loved and supported tirelessly, graciously, and ferociously.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Manfred and Eloise Gerhardt; wife, Jo Lynn Smith Gerhardt; brother, Manfred William Gerhardt.

Survivors: daughter, Allison Elliott, spouse Skip Elliott; daughter, Carole Blanton, spouse Daryl Blanton; son, Thomas Gerhardt, spouse Rachel Gerhardt; Grandchildren, Curt Blanton, spouse Jenn Blanton; Ashley Blanton; Casper Koteras; Tanner Gerhardt; Clara Gerhardt; great-grandchildren, Rex Blanton; Luke Blanton.

Memorial Service – Sunday, December 12, 2021 11am Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery.

13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Rice University, the Houston Symphony, or charity of your choice.