James Edward Gerling

James Edward (Jim) Gerling, 78, of Conroe, TX, passed away quietly on February 3, 2024 from cancer. Son of William Edward Gerling and Celeste Catherine Gerling (nee Montavon), Jim was born December 26, 1945, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jim grew up around the Cincinnati area before moving with his family to Orange, California at the age of 18. Even though he finished his schooling at Orange High School he graduated from Mt. Healthy High School, Mt. Healthy, Ohio, in June 1964. Jim’s first job was a Good Humor ice cream man. After graduation, he decided he wanted to work at McDonnell-Douglas in Long Beach, CA. He kept filling out applications until they finally hired him. His work was on again-off again until he was finally hired full-time. In the meantime, he worked at Ambassador Automotive in Garden Grove, CA.

Jim loved cars and racing. He joined a car club named California Performance. Members would build suped-up street cars and race them at Orange County International Raceway. Jim’s car was a sweet little 1970 GTX Roadrunner he called Pride & Joy. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and attending car meets.

He met the love of his life, Donna Mitchell, on a blind date. He met the second love of his life on Feb 14, 1981, when he gave his life to Jesus and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior. They formed a threefold union and married on August 7, 1982. Their daughter Heather was born in January of 1984. When Jim retired from Boeing (Douglas and Boeing had merged) he moved his family to Conroe, TX. in spring 2012. He formed many new and lasting friendships with neighbors and members of his church.

Jim lived his life as a conservative, patriotic man who loved his country. He would buy and distribute our country’s flag to houses in his neighborhood to display in their yards. He had definite opinions about right and wrong and was not afraid to voice them. He stood for what he knew to be right. He loved God, his wife, daughter, family and friends

Jim is survived by his loving daughter Heather Gholston; 5 sisters, Marty (Jim) Brancucci of Orange, CA; Pam (Rocky) Cave of Fallbrook, CA; Barbara (Mike) Sullivan of Murrietta, CA; Mary (Ed) Stringer of Garden Grove, CA; and Anita (Eric) Lee of Ulm, MT and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Donna, parents Bill and Celeste Gerling, brother Steve Gerling, nephew Jeremy Stringer, and son-in-law Ron Gholston.