Alfred E. Freddy Gerik

Alfred E. "Freddy" Gerik, age 85, of West, passed away Saturday, September 18, 2010, at his residence. A rosary will be recited 7:30 p.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption by Msgr. Isidore Rozycki. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Msgr. Isidore Rozycki, Rev. Ed Karasek and Rev. Anthony Odiong as celebrants. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery conducted by West V.F.W. Post #4819. Mr. Gerik was born October 12, 1924 in West, the son of Frank and Lydia(Milberger) Gerik. He attended St. Mary's School and graduated from West High School. Freddy served his country during World War II with the United States Army Air Force. On May 3, 1948 he was united in marriage to Nita McPherson in Dallas. They owned and operated F.G. Gerik & Son and Gerik Appliance Store for over 50 years until his retirement in 1986. Freddy was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, where he served as usher. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2305; McLennan-Hill Czech Heritage Society, where he served as President and a state Vice-President; V.F.W. Post #4819, American Legion Post #824, S.P.J.S.T. Lodge #6 in Cottonwood; K.J.T. Society # 31; and served on the West Independent School District Board. Freddy, known affectionately as "Fireman Fred" to several generations of West Elementary and St. Mary' school children, dedicated his life to fire service after his family's home was destroyed by fire when he was a young boy. Inspired by the dedication of his employer R. J. Hruska, he became a volunteer firefighter for the West Fire Department in 1957. He worked his way through the ranks and became Fire Marshal in 1984 and Fire Chief in 1989, becoming one of the best chiefs the community of West has ever known. Freddy lead the charge for fire safety talking to West 3rd graders every year, holding essay contests and poster contests locally, regionally, and at a state level. He beamed with pride when a local student placed at state. In 1991 and 1993, he was named the Central District Fire Fighter of the Year. Freddy not only served West, but was a faithful member of the McLennan County Fire Protection Association, serving as a former President and County Fire Marshal. He was just as dedicated to the State Fireman's and Fire Marshal's Association, where he served in all offices and was named the Firefighter of the Year in 1993 for the State of Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cyndy Gerik Angelo; a brother, John Lee Gerik, Sr; and a great-nephew, John Lee Gerik III. Survivors include his beloved wife of 62 years, Nita Gerik of West; two sons, Jimmy Gerik and wife Cindy of Dallas and Steven Gerik and wife Melanie of Carrollton; two daughters, Amy Quaid and husband Tommy of Carrollton and Glenda Keyes of Columbia, South Carolina; four nephews, John Lee "Buddy" Gerik, Jr., Tommy Gerik, Phil Gerik, and Mike Gerik; a niece, Karen Bittner; seven grandchildren, Brittany Angelo, Tyler Angelo, Haley Gerik, Nicholas Gerik, Gabriel Gerik, Tyler Clayton, and Chelsea Bell; a great granddaughter, Elly Ann Bell; and many other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Phil Gerik, Tommy Gerik, Buddy Gerik, Frank Kubacak, Mike Gerik, Bill Prikryl, Tommy Prikryl, Donald Milberger, and Phil Cherry. Honorary pallbearers are Members of the West Volunteer Fire Department and McLennan County Fire Protection Association. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Volunteer Fire Department, McLennan-Hill Czech Heritage Society, or St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption.