Coach Gerald "Jerry" Gundlach

Coach Gerald Marcel Gundlach, 82, of Gulfport passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Gulfport. Jerry was born on July 25, 1938, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Jerry graduated from high school at what is now Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelor's degree in health. He loved sports and was a loyal and devoted fan of the Golden Eagles all of his life. He loved traveling to games with his friends and fellow fans Billy and Finley Hewes. For many years Jerry would post scores and clever remarks on a tree in his front yard for all those passing by to see. Over his career he coached football, basketball, track, and baseball in Meridian, Mobile, and Gulfport. In Gulfport he coached at St. John High School, Bayou View Junior High, Gulfport East High School, and Gulfport High School. For fourteen years Jerry worked at Sportsman's Corner in Gulfport. After his retirement from teaching, he served as a Harrison County Bailiff for Judge Roger Clark.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Gulfport where he served as president of the Methodist Men. Even after his health began to fail, he loved helping to take up the offering at Sunday services.

In the Bayou View neighborhood where he lived, he served as president of the Bayou View Dixie Youth Baseball Association. In 2001 he was awarded the Award of Merit by the Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Hazel Sullivan Gundlach and infant granddaughter Raemi Marie Gundlach. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of fifty-nine years LuBeth Cooper Gundlach; his children Michael (Jennifer) Gundlach and David (Kristi) Gundlach: grandchildren Caleb Gundlach, Taylor (Kassie) Gundlach, Madison Gundlach, Samantha Gundlach, Secilia Gundlach, and Hannah Hoda; great grandchildren Tate Gundlach, Wyatt Gundlach, and soon to be born Caroline Hayes Gundlach; and his brother James "Jimmy" Gundlach (Susan) of New Orleans.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to Greg Sullivan, his family, his staff, and St. Joseph's Hospice for their exceptional care of Jerry for the past year.

The family asks that memorial contributions be sent to the USM Athletic Foundation,
PO Box 15458, Hattiesburg, MS 39404.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 26, 2021, at Highland Cemetery, 3401 W 7th Street, Hattiesburg, MS.

Due to a COVID diagnosis within the family, the reception has been cancelled for the evening of Monday, July 26, 2021.  Please pray for the family and those affected with COVID.

All are asked to wear their favorite USM clothing or black and gold to honor Coach Gundlach and his Alma Mater.