Gerald Leon Springer

Gerald Leon Springer went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 after a prolonged illness in Anaheim, California. A native of Coffeyville, Kansas, he was the eldest of three children born to Robert A. L. Springer and Gennetta Iohnson Springer. Gerald completed his early education at Cleveland Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School, Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville, Kansas. Gerald was an exceptional student. He made the scholastic honor roll each semester he was in high school. Additionally, he lettered in football and track the three years he was in high school. He was loved and respected by his classmates and teachers alike.

He was a very positive and highly motivated young man. He was a happy, extroverted young man who loved music, dancing, and socializing with his friends. The church exerted its influence on Gerald at an early age. He was baptized at the age of eleven at Sardis Missionary Baptist Church. As a teenager, he served as a junior deacon, sang in both the junior and senior choirs, and formed a gospel group with his sister, Alice, and three other young people in the church. He was so devout, everyone thought he would become a minister.

He attended Coffeyville Community College before transferring to the University of Kansas at Lawrence, Kansas where he graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor Science Degree in Education.

After completing his degree, he accepted a position to teach English in Long Beach, California. He went onto teach in the Lynwood and Cypress school districts. In addition to teaching, Gerald was a high school football coach. He loved football and loved coaching; until forced to retire due to illness. On December 1, 1992, Gerald married Sheila Renee who loved and cared for him until
his death.

Gerald is preceded in death by his loving parents and his sister, Alice Springer. Gerald
is survived by his wife, Sheila Renee Springer and stepdaughter, Shalonda Renee Dunham; three children from a previous marriage, Alicia Genise Fouser of Manassas, VA, Gerald (Jerry) Springer of Sacramento, CA and Geoffrey Springer of Cerritos, CA; a sister, Dianna Springer of Houston; and 15 grandchildren; and three nephews and one niece. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and loved him.