Thomas Edward Gerres

Thomas Edward Gerres died Sunday morning, July 29, 2018, at the White Mountain Hospital in Springerville, Apache County, Arizona following a lingering illness.  He was 83 years old.  Tom was born on Thursday, December 6, 1934, in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware to his parents, the late Joseph and Mary (McLaughlin) Gerres. 

Tom moved to Arizona in 1978 and, on November 2, 1978, married his bride, Barbara Elane Caplinger in Show Low, Arizona.  Theirs was an extremely happy union that spanned 40 years. Barbara has said of Tom that "hard work was okay and, also, that humor was important in our marriage.  He was a kind and generous man and I will miss him." 

While still in high school, Tom learned the plumbing trade working alongside his father.  He worked for many years with his dad and, later, he had the opportunity to work with other plumbers, where he was able to share his master plumbing skills.  Thomas was also a skilled craftsman and built his wife her dream home in Catron County, New Mexico atop a mesa, overlooking some of the most scenic sites in the country.  They loved their paradise and lived there many years before moving back to Eagar, Arizona where he lived the remainder of his years.  Though a plumber by trade, Thomas also loved to tend bar; especially Mike's Place in Springerville, Arizona.  He built it and ran it with his wife for 10 years, from 1986 to 1996.  Even following his retirement, Thomas was never one to remain idle.  He went to the V.F.W. in Eagar to tend their bar and was admired and respected by all of the patrons there.  He truly was a people person and loved doing small acts of kind service that would bless the lives of countless others.  Then, in his time of need, while Barbara was experiencing ill health, his "roomie" granddaughter, Stacy Hale, took care of him. On occasion she enjoyed "sneaking" him sweets when he thought nobody was looking.  All of his family shared a similar bond with him and he valued each of his family members as individuals and he loved to serve them any way that he could. 

Throughout his life, Tom was an avid football fan.  He played it when he was younger and, as he aged and wasn't able to play, he loved watching it and talking about it.  His favorite team was "The Fighting Irish" of Notre Dame.  He rarely, if ever, missed a game.          

Thomas Edward Gerres is survived by his wife, Barbara Gerres of Eagar, Arizona; 7 children:  Larry (Beverly) Gerres of Springerville, Arizona, Joe (Beverly "Bebbie") Gerres of North Carolina, Danny (Bonnie) Gerres of Delaware, Kathleen Gerres of Wilmington, Delaware, Wendy Gerres of Bear, Delaware, Mark Walters of Bend, Oregon, Lori Hale of Springerville, Arizona; 2 sisters:  Ellen Laskowski of Wilmington, Delaware and Judy King of Rehobeth, Delaware.  He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  Along with his parents, Tom was preceded in death by 2 sons:  Tommie Gerres, Ed Walters; a sister, Patsy Davis and by his son-in-law, Vernal Hale, Jr.  

A special memorial gathering for family and friends will be from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M., Saturday, August 4, 2018, at the Gerres Family home, 120 E. 7th Street in Eagar, Arizona.  All are warmly invited and welcome to come celebrate the incredible life of this good man.  His family is grateful for all the kind acts of love and sympathy they have received during this difficult time and are especially grateful for all the prayers offered on their behalf.