Gregory Michael Gerling, 67, of Covington, passed away from this world to eternal peace, Dec. 18, 2019, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born on Nov. 23, 1952, in Jefferson City, Missouri, son of the late Michael and Lucille (Schwaller) Gerling. He was united in marriage to the late Laurale (Borgmeyer) Gerling on Aug. 10, 1974, for 40 years. After her passing, he was blessed with a new lease on life with his marriage to Nancy (Kemph) Gerling on Oct. 1, 2016, who survives him.
Greg was a 1971 graduate of Helias High School in Jefferson City. Working full-time with two young girls, he graduated Magna Cum Laud in 1989 at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. His astute analytical and problem-solving skills served him well in his career as a buyer and operations manager for several companies in the arms industry, and later as a Supply Chain Analyst for SPG International in Covington.
Greg loved cats, classic rock and southern gospel music, naps, trucks, hunting and history, particularly anything about WWII — which made him a formidable opponent in Trivial Pursuit. He had a unique sense of humor and didn’t mind if he was the only one laughing at his bad puns and corny jokes. An unabashed creature of habit, he enjoyed following “protocol” a.k.a. his rules for everyday tasks and life in general.
He loved his two girls unconditionally, and frequently told them “If I did anything right in life, it was raising you girls. I’m so proud of the women and mothers you have become”. A devoted and loving grandfather, “Papa Greg” made it his mission to teach bad habits to his six grandchildren, mostly to jokingly annoy his daughters and step-daughter.
Greg was preceded in death by his first wife, Laurale (Borgmeyer) Gerling; his mother and father, Michael and Lucille (Schwaller) Gerling; his father and mother in-law, Raymond and Marie (Koerber) Borgmeyer; sister in-law, Carol Ortbals; nephews, Adam Ortbals and Lucas Borgmeyer; and niece, Sarah Borgmeyer; and his best cat buddies, Nermal and Simon.
Left to honor his memory is his second wife, Nancy (Kemph) Gerling; daughters, Candice Meyer (Shawn) of Lakeville, Minnesota, Tiffany Umphenour (Patrick) of St. Charles, Missouri; step-daughter, Tiffany Crofford (Mike) of Kennesaw, Georgia; step-sons, David Kemph of Snellville, Georgia, and Daniel Kemph of Hoschton, Georgia; grandchildren, Stanley, Abby, Quinn, Peyton, Taylor and Evelyn; sister, Mary Terri Teeter (Del); brothers, James Gerling (Shirley) and Richard Gerling (Cindy); mother in-law, Marie Bender; sister in-law, Cathi Wilcox; twenty-two nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; his and Nancy’s four cats, Ginger, Mary Ann, Skipper and Lovey; his friends that were like family at the Po Boy Deer Camp and First Baptist Church of Covington.
A Memorial Service for Greg will be Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, at First Baptist Church of Covington Sanctuary, 1139 Usher Street NE. in Covington, with Pastor Tim Barnes officiating. Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. with the service starting at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Expressions of Sympathy may be made to the Melanoma Research Alliance: 730 15th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005; or online at curemelanoma.org.
