Gerard “Gerry” Joseph Lemmons
May 7, 1952 – May 28, 2023
Gerry Lemmons, 71, beloved husband of 46 years to Iva Lemmons, went to be with the Lord on
Pentecost, May 28, 2023. Gerry was born on May 7, 1952, in El Paso, Texas.
Gerry loved life. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a great positivity of spirit. He was
always looking forward through the many trials with his health. He took the cards he was dealt
in life and made the best of them, teaching himself to walk again three times. As his wife Iva
shares, “He was truly my hero.”
Gerry had a long and diverse musical career, beginning with writing music for his high school
plays in El Paso. He performed his signature night club act from coast to coast to put himself
through college at North Texas State University. After college, he was Musical Director for
Holland America Line on board the S.S. Rotterdam V and S.S. Statendam III, playing for many
well-known stars.
In Denver, Colorado, he was the Principal Organist at North Presbyterian Church, playing a 29
Rank Wicks pipe organ. He also ran their well-received food bank and soup kitchen.
In Excelsior Springs, Missouri, he played the organ at the First United Methodist Church, the
keyboard at Slightly Off Broadway Theatre, and the keyboard with a musical group for the
Senior Center.
He worked in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Panama City Beach, Florida, at ASA Airlines as Station
Manager. In Denver, Colorado, he worked for Frontier Airlines as the Director of Internal
Communications. While in Denver, he was the President of the Intermountain Chapter of the
Rocky Mountain Historical Society and had a vast network of railroading friends across the U.S.
He was an On-Board Manager of two private railcars. He immensely enjoyed his many different
trips and absolutely loved to travel.
Gerry had great compassion for all people and was a wonderful speaker and writer. He is
survived by his wife and the love of his life, Iva, his sister Sylvia, numerous nieces and nephews,
and his best friend Daisy.
Please join us to remember a truly wonderful man. His Celebration of Life Service will be at the
First United Methodist Church of Excelsior Springs on Saturday, June 24. Visitation will be at
9:30 am, Service at 10:00 am, with Graveside Service to follow at the Excelsior Springs Masonic
Cemetery. Lunch will be at the First United Methodist Church following the graveside service.
Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Excelsior Springs, the Slightly
Off Broadway Theatre, or the Good Samaritan Center in Excelsior Springs. Thank you for all of
your thoughts, prayers, and caring.
