Gerald Jeremiah Vokolek was born in Queens, New York, on July 27, 1945. He died on June 15, 2020, in his home with his cherished family by his side.
Gerald’s life was firmly planted in family, faith and fierce loyalty to his country. Early on, he created a path to a life well-lived through his passion for education, business and community. He met his Forever Bride, Ronnie, while they were both working at Ohrbach’s department store. Together they embarked on a lifetime of adventure that included globetrotting around the world with their growing family. Gerald possessed the experiences of a well-traveled gentleman with a wicked wit who shared tales with compassion and humor.
Gerald’s devotion was exemplified by his 20+ years in the US Army. He graduated from The Command and General Staff College as a Lieutenant Colonel. He had a proud decades-long career in retail leading to Gerald’s third and ultimate career in Real Estate. His reign included tenure as President of RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, President of Collin County Association of Realtors, Chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors Infrastructure, and chair of the Collin County Planning Board planning for future infrastructure. He contributed his time and resources to charities, especially St. Labre Indian School in Ashford, Montana.
Nothing outranked his pure devotion to his life with family and friends. He loved to cook, entertain and smoke a cigar while looking out onto the lake. He smoked a mean leg of lamb stuffed with spinach and pine nuts, but nothing was better than his signature crème brulee. Family vacations were a must with family dinners, Top Golf, and movies in between. His goal was always to be with family.
We are blessed that Gerald’s light will forever shine bright with the continued tales of adventure, education, love and compassion.
Now home in his heavenly place in the arms of Jesus, Gerald is survived by his wife Ronnie, daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Devin McAloon, Dana and Cameron Cobb, grandchildren Brant McAloon, Gerrit McAloon, Quincy Cobb, Talyn McAloon, sister Barbara DeGaetano, niece Beth Herendeen.
Gerald will be welcomed into heaven by his loving parents, Mary and Jeremiah, and his granddaughter, Amily Grace.
A “come and go” visitation will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to maintain social distancing.
The funeral service will be at Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano on Monday, June 22 at 11 am. A private family service will follow at the DFW National Cemetery.
With thoughtful consideration and care to social distancing concerns, the family will host a casual indoor/outdoor reception in Gerald’s honor at their home from 4-7 pm on Monday, June 22.
The family requests that memorials be made in Gerald’s name to the GarySiniseFoundation.org
The Gary Sinise Foundation honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Through its R.I.S.E. program, specially-adapted smart homes are being constructed for severely wounded veterans and first responders nationwide. Each one-of-a-kind home is customized to ease the everyday burdens of a wounded hero, their family and caregivers.