Orange The Rev. H.E. Gerald, 76, of Orange, passed from this life, Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at Select Specialty Hospital in Houston. Funeral service will be held at North Orange Pentecostal Church, where he was pastor for 34 years. The service will be 2 p.m., Monday, April 5, with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Sunday, at the church.

The reverend was born Jan. 21, 1934, in Hemphill to Gary and Flora Brown. At the death of his mother he was adopted by Jesse Ira and Viola (Lemons) Gerald.

After he graduated from Lutcher Stark High School Gerald attended ABI in St. Paul, Minnesota. He received a Bachelor of Theology from Texas Bible College in Houston, where he was an instructor. Gerald served the Foreign Missions of the UPCI as the pioneer missionary to Nigeria-West Africa, opening the first UPCI Bible School in Nigeria.

Upon returning to the United States he served as Texas District Foreign Missions Director for 14 years. The reverend was serving in his 20th year on the Texas District Board of Presbyters.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Viola Gerald; brothers, Homer, Raymond, G.W., Roy Lee, and Bennie; sisters, Ima and Geneva.

The reverend is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mozelle Barnhill Gerald; sons, the Rev. Gregary C. and Machel, of Shepherd  and Herman Wade of Kilgore; grandchildren, Brandon, Shandolyn, Katelyn, Ashley, Bailey, and Landon Wade; sister, Rachel VanSlyke of Pineland, La .; niece, Deborah Gallander; and other loving nieces, nephews, and friends in the ministry.