Roll Call Tribute

Gerald Joseph "Jerry" Gondran

December 13, 1933 - September 10, 2022

On September 10, 2022, Gerald “Jerry” Joseph Gondran, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 88 in Austin, Texas. Jerry was born on December 13, 1933 in Taylor, Texas. After graduating from Taylor High School, he attended Texas A&M University. He graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. In 1955, Jerry married Shirley Marie Hicks.

Following graduation from Texas A&M, Jerry was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Throughout his 20-year career, he served as an air operations officer including service in the Vietnam War where he was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Shirley and Jerry raised three beautiful children: Paul Neal, Suzanne Marie, and Christopher David. They lived in Texas, Washington, Missouri, Mississippi, Germany, Colorado, and found their way back to Austin, Texas in 1974. Jerry concluded his Air Force career in 1977 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After retiring from the Air Force, Jerry pursued a second career as a certified financial planner and investment advisor.

After his final retirement in 1993, Jerry continued his commitment to service. He volunteered countless hours with West Austin Caregivers providing transportation to medical appointments for those in need. The American Association of Blood Banks honored Jerry for his generosity to the ill and injured through his donation of over 10 gallons of blood. He is an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas.

Jerry was proud to be an Aggie. He beamed with pride as his grandchildren followed in his footsteps, choosing Texas A&M as their alma mater. In the earlier years of the Aggie and Longhorn rivalry, bantering with his Longhorn family members added another dimension of fun and excitement while watching football games.

From crappie fishing at Lake Granger, deep sea fishing out of Port Aransas, halibut fishing in Alaska, to pike and salmon fishing in the Queen Charlotte Islands off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, Jerry treasured his fishing adventures. He had a lifelong love for fishing, and his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry on his fishing legacy.

Jerry is survived by his devoted wife, Mattie Finley Gondran. They married in 1994 in Gladewater, Texas and resided in Austin for 28 years. Jerry and Mattie enjoyed worldwide travels. They cherished their trip to Israel, as well as Alaska and Canada as their favorite destinations. Some of Jerry’s most memorable travel were with his connections to nature at the National Parks-Yellowstone, Zion, and Glacier. He always had the most unforgettable stories of his adventures there.

He is survived by his children: son, Paul (Sue Ellen) Gondran; daughter, Suzanne Gondran; son, Christopher Gondran; son, Mark (Terri) Sherman; son, David (Mandy) Finley. He is affectionately known as Pop Pop by his grandchildren: Michael Gondran, Neal (Erica) Gondran, Amy Gondran, Jessie Gondran, Ellie Gondran, Jack (Haley) Sherman, Hannah Sherman (Nathan) Murray, Mattie Elizabeth Finley, and Sam Finley, and his great-grandchildren, Johnny and Violet Gondran.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Violet Alice and Paul Albert Gondran; sister, Juanita Gondran; brother, Albert Donald Gondran; wife and mother of his children, Shirley Marie Hicks Gondran; and son, Jay Finley.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 16, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas. Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.

In remembrance of Jerry Gondran, the family welcomes memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or American Cancer Society or Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas.