Johnny Gerik

Johnny William Gerik, age 96, of West, passed away Monday afternoon, September 27, 2021 at West Rest Haven in West. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Stephen Nesrsta as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. Johnny was born March 3, 1925 near West, the son of William and Amalie (Karlik) Gerik. He was a 1940 graduate of St. Mary's School in West. Johnny proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II on the USS Navarro in the Pacific Theatre. After meeting the love of his life at a dance at St. Joseph's Hall, he was united in marriage on June 14, 1949 to Evelyn Rose Straten in Tours. They moved to Arlington in 1958 and returned to West in 1986. Evelyn preceded him in death on September 23, 2014 after 65 years of marriage. Johnny was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West and was a founding member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Arlington. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4819, KJT Society #31, the United Auto Workers Union Local #276, and Catholic Life Association. Johnny worked for General Motors in Arlington for over 29 years before retiring in 1986. Prior to that, he worked for Cameron Mills in Waco and was working there during the 1953 tornado that struck downtown Waco. Johnny enjoyed fishing, gardening, picking pecans, coaching baseball, being outdoors, dancing, and having a pivo. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Johnny is also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edward, Josef, Bennie, Frankie, Daniel, and Marvin Gerik; and sisters, Doris Nesrsta, Irene Gerik, and Mary Jane Gerik. Survivors include his son, Calvin Gerik and wife Starlette of Mansfield; grandchildren, Kristoffer Gerik and wife Laura of Colorado Springs, CO, Kaitlyn Gerik of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Kourtney Gerik of Grapevine; a sister-in-law, Louise Podsednik of West; 13 God children; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Kristoffer Gerik, Mark Gerik, Richard Gerik, Richard Glomb, Mike Mendiola, Edward Nesrsta, Steven Podsednik, and Paul Straten. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Staff of West Rest Haven, especially to those in the memory care unit, for the love and care shown to Johnny. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Rest Haven Memorial Fund, VFW Post #4819 or to St. Mary's Catholic Church Building Fund.