Jimmy Gerik

Jimmy Gerik, age 65, of Aquilla, passed away Monday afternoon, October 11, 2021 at his residence. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday October 18, 2021 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott. Jimmy was born September 24, 1956 in Waco, the son of Jerry and Irene (Muehlstein) Gerik. He attended Aquilla schools and was a 1974 graduate of Aquilla High School. Jimmy graduated with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Plant Pathology in 1979 from Texas A&M University. He received a Doctorate in Plant Pathology in 1984 from University of California at Berkley. On April 1, 1988 he was united in marriage to Martha Kavanagh in Reno, Nevada. Martha preceded him in death on November 30, 2016. Jimmy was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. He was also a member of Eagles Lodge in Reedley, CA and the Knights of Columbus Council #2305 in West. Jimmy worked for Holly Sugar and the United States Department of Agriculture for 25 years before retiring in 2017. He enjoyed traveling, watching Westerns, listening to music and playing dominos. Jimmy is also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tim Gerik and Dennis Gerik; and brothers-in-law, Ernie Janek and Marshall Matthews. Survivors include his stepson, Brian Rothstein; sisters, Debbie Janek and Kathy Matthews; brothers, Jerry Gerik Jr. and wife Denise, and Ronnie Gerik and wife Marsha; sister-in-law, Linda Gerik; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are his nephews, Christopher Janek, Kevin Janek, Jason Janek, John David Janek, John Gerik, Paul Gerik, Joshua Gerik, Ronnie Joe Gerik, Jacob Gerik, Zachary Gerik, Daniel Hill and Michael Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption Clerical Endowment Fund.