Pastor Gerald R. "Jerry" Conrad, 60, Vicars Lane, Altoona, went home to be with his Lord Thursday at Altoona Regional Emergency Room as a result of an accident at his residence.
He was born in Coupon, son of the late Ralph and Bertha (Baker) Conrad. He married Faye Riggleman on March 25, 1972, in Ashville.
Surviving are his wife of 40 years; a daughter, Crystal Conrad-Kauffman (Jason) of Altoona; five grandchildren: Iris Jaye, Sagan Grey, Marley Rayne, Ziah Bryn and Laurel Quyn; four siblings: Eileen Van Ormer of Altoona, Ronald (Lavone Ball) of Berryville, Va., Denise Freidhof (Dave) of Portage and Lynn Plowman (Robert Jr.) of Hollidaysburg; as well as an aunt and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Gerrie Anne; an infant brother, Francis; a brother, Jeffrey; and a brother-in-law, Jim Van Ormer.
Jerry retired in 2012 from Norfolk Southern after 41 years of service. He was an ordained minister and a member and deacon of Buckhorn Bible Church. He was dean and a teacher at Altoona Bible Institute and a member of the NRA and Altoona Sportsmen Club.
Jerry was known as Doc Jericho by his many friends at the Single Action Shooting Society. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing and working in his yard.
On Aug. 2, 2012, the Lord completed Jerry Conrad's mansion and called him home to live with him. Jerry was born in 1952 and reborn in 1975, the year the Lord started Jerry's mansion. He was excited to get to his new home and someday would like to welcome you there and show you around. So if you want Jesus to build you a mansion, a mansion not built with human hands, then do as Jerry did. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved" Acts 16:31. Do it right now, so the Lord can get started on your mansion.
Friends will be received from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at Buckhorn Bible Church, the Rev. Carl Wolfe officiating. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Coupon.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Buckhorn Bible Church in Jerry's memory.
