Gerald Lynn Treadway

Gerald Lynn Treadway, age 73, passed away on June 5, 2020. He was born on February 23, 1947 to Evert Mansfield and Edna Jordan Treadway.

A sweet, gentle giant, beneath his imposing exterior was a loving heart, gentle character, and a ceaseless passion for the things and people that he loved. Those that knew Gerald, knew him to be a man that would tell it like is, giving an unfiltered opinion to questions and responding to situations in his own way. Born in California, he lost his father at a young age and relocated to Southeast Texas, growing up in Sour Lake. In his late 20s, he caught the eye of a neighbor, Mary Ellen. Her first thought was “Oh, I like him!”, and they soon began a journey of love and intimacy that would last until his final breath. Gerald fell in love not only with Mary, but also her two little girls, Kimberley and Kelli. They became a focus of his life, and before asking for Mary’s hand in marriage, he took both to the Lumberton Rodeo where he requested their permission for their mom’s hand in marriage. After marrying on April 2, 1976, he and Mary started weaving their love story, and he stepped into the role of a beloved husband, devoted father, and the family cook. To Gerald, cooking was an art, and he made a lot of folks smile with the phenomenal nature of his cooking. He made homemade sausage and smoked meat, jalapeno cornbread, cakes for special occasions, and an abundance of other delicious recipes; everything he did, he did well. A lot of his meat creations came from his love of hunting and fishing, using his smokehouse behind his home. A longtime heavy equipment operator and member of the IUOE Local 450, he made many friends over the years and blessed them with his culinary creations. Once he became a grandfather, “Pawpaw Gerry”, he had plenty of love left to give and enjoyed spending time with them. His late grandson, Andrew, was his buddy, spending time doing the things they both loved. Though he is gone, his gigantic heart and person embedded a lasting love and precious memory that will forever remain with his loved ones.  

Left to honor his memory is his beloved wife of 44 years, Mary Ellen Treadway; daughters, Kimberley Rayer of League City, TX and Kelli Harbin and husband, Daniel, of Lumberton, TX; sister, Glenda Thompson of Bridge City, TX; grandchildren, Colby Willis and Tori Harbin; great-grandchild, Aurora Mijares; and a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.

Preceding Gerald in death are his parents and grandson, Andrew Harbin.

Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, June 11, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Grace Church, 1130 Hwy 69, Kountze, TX 77625. Gerald’s life honoring memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., also at the church, with his son-in-law, Daniel, officiating.

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