Floyd Gerke

Floyd Gerke, 79, known to his grandchildren as “Pamper”, passed away June 18, 2016 in Austin.

Floyd was born July 11, 1936 in the William Penn Community of Washington County to Willie and Mary Lampe Gerke. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith, and on August 21, 1960, he was married to Annie Blazich.

Floyd attended the Texas School for the Blind as a child, leaving his home and family in Brenham at the tender age of 8 to join his sister, Dorothy who was already a student. During his time at TSB, he made life-long friends and had many stories of their antics and adventures. He was a star on the wrestling team and a campus leader.

After graduation, Floyd left Texas in 1957 and headed to Idaho. He was given the opportunity to work at the Idaho School for the Blind and Deaf, which would allow him to see a part of the country he had only dreamed of seeing. He worked at the school for 13 years supervising the boys’ dorm, teaching mobility, and coaching the wrestling team. While in Idaho, a cute teacher named Annie Blazich caught his eye, and the two were married in 1960. In 1962 he became a father to his daughter, Sherrie, whom he loved deeply and raised to love, respect, and help others.

In 1970, Floyd and his family moved back to Texas where he began his career at the Texas School for the Blind, his old stompin’ ground. The first years were spent supervising the boys’ dorm, and his hard work and dedication lead him to being promoted to Student Life Director. After his tenure at TSB, Floyd entered the BEP (Business Enterprise Program) through the Commission for the Blind. He successfully managed the cafeterias at the Stephen F. Austin Building and the State Health Department. Floyd’s cafeterias were famous for their great food and friendly staff.

Floyd retired in 1995 and was soon blessed with his 2 amazing grandchildren, Melanie and Matthew. He was then known affectionately as “Pamper”. “Pamper” thought the world of his grandchildren, and they loved him dearly. They enjoyed his stories and amazing sense of humor, and spent as much time as possible with Pamper and Annie.

Those of you who knew Floyd know that saying he was a sports fan is an understatement. He was an avid Texas Longhorn fan and never gave up on the Dallas Cowboys. He watched every Longhorn game in a Longhorn shirt and soon found which ones were the lucky ones. Longhorn Game Day will never be the same without Floyd’s burnt orange spirit.

Survivors include his wife, Annie Gerke of Austin; daughter and son-in-law, Sherrie and Bradley Shaver of Austin; brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Jill Gerke, and sister and brother-in-law Mary Lou and Paul Kenjura, all of Brenham; grandchildren: Melanie Shaver and Matthew Shaver; father, August Pahmiyer. Other surviving relatives include nieces: Linda Kenjura, Kelly Brogoitti (John), Robin Moran (Steven), Melissa Lyons (Eric), Marilyn Kleypas (Paul); nephews: Ronald Moon, (Terry), Rodney Kenjura (Patty), and Chad Gerke (Sara).

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Gerke, and Mary Lampe Gerke Pahmiyer; sister-in-law, Janet Gerke; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Charlie Moon; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dan and Milka Blazich; brother-in-law Chris Blazich; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Archie Hantla; and nephew, Mark Kenjura, as well as co-grandparents, Bob and Iva Shaver.

Serving as pallbearers are Rodney Kenjura, Chad Gerke, Eric Lyons, Darrek Kenjura and Mike Chandler. Honorary pallbearers are Matthew Shaver and Bradley Shaver.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m., Thursday, June 23 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. A second visitation will be held Friday from 5 until 7 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. in Austin. The funeral service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin. A graveside service will take at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 26 at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham.

Memorials may be directed to:
All Blind Children
c/o TSBVI
1100 W. 45th St.
Austin, Tx. 78756

Funeral arrangements for Floyd Gerke are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham.

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