Gerald Everett Killen

Gerald “Jerry” Everett Killen Gerald was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on February 16, 1930 and died, at the age of 92, on May 5, 2022 in his home at Canyon Lake, Texas. He was the first of four children born to Lloyd and Eola Killen. Gerald spent most of his childhood growing up in Lecompte, Louisiana, a small town just south of Alexandria. For a brief period during WWII, the family moved to New Orleans, where Gerald’s father worked in the shipyard to help the war effort. After the end of WWII, the family made their way back home to Lecompte. Gerald graduated from Lecompte High School in 1948. He then attended Louisiana State University for a little over a year before enlisting in the United States Air Force. During Gerald’s time in the service he was stationed at bases in states all over the country including Texas, New Mexico, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, California, and Alaska. Early in his Air Force career, Gerald was stationed at Bitburg Air Force Base in Germany. Following his tour in Germany, Gerald entered Officer Candidate School and graduated with the rank of Lieutenant. Gerald spent a total of 22 years, 2 months and 10 days serving in the Air Force and retired on December 1, 1969. Following retirement from the Air Force, Gerald and his wife, Janet, settled in at Canyon Lake on a portion of land that had belonged to his father. He worked for a Jobs Corp training center for a couple of years. Gerald then started working for himself doing landscaping, clearing of land, and building minor roads and driveways, while also raising livestock. Neither endeavors proved to be very profitable, so out went the equipment along with the livestock. Gerald and Jan then started working together and developed a successful business doing lawn maintenance and handyman jobs for local residents. In 1987, Gerald and Jan started to build their own home, doing most all of the work themselves. Occasionally, there was a need for contracting out some concrete or plumbing work. There were times when friends and neighbors would lend a hand in raising walls and trusses. Gerald and Jan continued to work tenaciously on their home, year by year, until 1993 when they were finally able to move in – free and clear of a mortgage. The last number of retirement years found Gerald enjoying his and Jan’s little piece of heaven on earth - working on various home projects, mowing acres of his own land, taking care of his large garden, and feeding deer who came by to visit. Every year, until recently, there were crops of greens, tomatoes, field peas, asparagus, and, of course, lots of okra! Eventually, Gerald’s health declined to the point that he was unable to do the things he loved and, finally, the Lord called him home. Gerald was a good man who truly loved the Lord and he will be missed by all who loved and knew him. Gerald is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Janet Killen; his children from his first marriage, daughters Pamela (Ron) Parrott and Rhonda (Lewis) Turnbaugh; granddaughter Jennifer Parrott (Michael) Gatley; grandson James (Kim) Turnbaugh, great-grandchildren Jacob Gatley, Hannah Gatley, Ethan Gatley, and Faith Gatley; brother Lloyd (Pattie) Killen. Nieces and nephews: Kimberley, Michael, Debby, Jerry, Melanie, Sean, and Stephanie. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Eola Killen; sisters Gloria Moody and Helen Ashley. A special thank you to our Hope Hospice team and Lux Funeral Home.