- Date Of Birth: July 29, 1030
- Date Of Death: January 24, 2022
- State: Arkansas
If you hear thunder outside but don’t see a storm it’s nothing to worry about…that’s just Gerrit Marion Bles letting us all know he’s having a great time in heaven with his distinct and loud laugh we all know and love. He left his earthly body at 91 years young peacefully on January 24, 2022, in his home with family and his loyal dog, Duke, by his side.
Gerrit, also known as Sonny or Gary to his friends, was big and strong as a bear but kind and huggable as a teddy bear and his life reflected both sides of his personality.
He was a Korean War Marine Veteran, a volunteer firefighter from the 1960s until he was in his 90s, a career truck driver, lover of old Westerns and John Wayne, a stained-glass artist, avid wood carver, animal lover, amazing bread baker, husband, father, and grandfather (great).
Gerrit was born on July 29, 1930 and lived in Chicagoland most of his life with his wife, Margaret (passed 2019), who he shared 62 years with and 6 children (3 boys, 3 girls). In retirement they enjoyed traveling by airstream to Texas to teach English by the border in the Winter.
Ultimately, they enjoyed the peace and quiet Arkansas had to offer and found a place to live a relaxing life together for the last 20 years.
He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, family, and all who knew him.
