Dates
Glenn Ray Gerloff, age 88, passed away December 8, 2023, due to Alzheimer's. He was reunited at the Heavenly Gates with his beloved wife, Joan LaRue Behrens Gerloff.
Glenn was born June 29, 1935 in McLennan, Texas. He was the middle of three children born to Ollie Helen Holt Gerloff and Otto A. Gerloff, Jr. - siblings Don and youngest sister, Marsha. Glenn and his family enjoyed many trips and had excellent work habits. His dad, Otto, was an agriculture teacher and later developed land in Montgomery County. Growing up, the family owned a soda fountain shop where Glenn had lots of fun memories making milkshakes.
As a teen, Glenn got a job throwing newspapers. One time while throwing papers, he was run over by a city work truck turning a corner and Glenn was severely injured. The doctors managed to save his legs but he had to go to many doctor visits. As an adult, Glenn had several hip replacements on both hips. He had to deal with one leg being shorter and had to wear special shoes to accommodate for the difference. Later in life, he resorted to using two canes. He could really move with those two canes. Glenn was always resilient and able to bounce back from adversity.
Glenn's family lived in Temple during the high school years for the boys and Glenn graduated from Temple HS on May 29, 1953. He attended San Houston State College in Huntsville, Texas and the University of Texas in Austin and received his degree in Music. Glenn loved to sing, but his main passion was boats. While at the University of Texas in Austin, he worked for Bill Gaston of Glastron Boats and always had a boat from then on. In college, his boat was always full of classmates on weekends enjoying the water and the sun.
After graduation, he was offered a job with Balfour and moved to San Angelo, Texas to settle down. He purchased one of the first houses on Lake Nasworthy and worked for Balfour with two other sales reps. Through Balfour is where he met the love of his life, Joan. Joan quickly moved up in the company and became a sales rep like Glenn. The two of them traveled all over the west part of Texas selling Balfour products. They enjoyed hosting parties, cooking for hundreds of people from Balfour sales meetings to family lunches every Sunday after church along with hosting numerous family reunions with the Gerloff’s, Holt’s and Bradbury’s. He invented the famous "Guga Burger", which has made a name for itself for the peppered hand smashed patty and perfectly toasted bun. Glenn said the pepper and other secret seasonings made you want to come back for seconds.
Glenn shared his passion and knowledge for boating with friends and family. That knowledge was later passed down to his four granddaughters and great-grandchildren. He instilled in them a love for watersports and boating along with an appreciation for wildlife. From designing and then encouraging them to earn the golden slalom ski pendant to creating hats for their first polar plunge, he always made them feel special and accomplished. Glenn even made their birthdays special by having canoe and kayak races with very generous prizes. Glenn and Joan loved to travel far and wide to support their grandkids in their athletic games too.
When Glenn and Joan retired, they bought a houseboat on Lake Amistad and quickly made friends at the marina, located directly on the beautiful lake. They split their time between San Angelo and Lake Amistad in Del Rio. They had weekly barbecues, game nights, dinner parties and all the fishing Glenn and Joan could ever hope to have right on their boat. He loved to fish whether it was at a lake or in a bay of salt water.
Glenn and Joan were members of Sierra Methodist Church and Glenn sang in the choir. They were both very active in the church groups. After the grandchildren left, they used the lake for parties involving church members. The one event that brought young and old together was the Fourth of July. His property was the perfect location to watch fireworks. Families would even travel to come to this wonderful event. Glenn would show the attendees his favorite goose, Big Boy, by carrying this enormous goose like a pet. He also had a gigantic carp he would show everyone how he could hand feed the fish. Glenn had the biggest heart and was not afraid to share with everyone around.
Goodbye Guga! Enjoy Heaven as much as you enjoyed living on the Lake. Give hugs to all who are waiting there for you and know we will all miss you but see you again.
The family requests donations be made to Saint Gabriel's Hospice of San Angelo, Texas. Glenn, affectionally known as Guga by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is survived by stepchildren Lorie and her husband, Don Heath; Donald Pace; Kathy Priest-Smith and her husband, Gregory Smith; and grandchildren Morgen and husband Shawn Smith; Brittney Heath, Courtney and husband Marcus Dianda; Alyssa Priest and her fiancé' Blake Benbow; as well as great grandchildren: Landon and Peyton Smith and Carson Dianda - his sister-in-law, Margaret Gerloff; a nephew and niece; and many beloved cousins. He left behind a strong legacy of love, resilience, and cherished memories.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Friday, December 15, 2023, at Harper Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers for the service will be Shawn Smith, Robby Smith, Landon Smith, Doug Behrens, Mark Priest and Don Heath.
Family and friends may share condolences at www.harper-funeralhome.com.