Paul Gering

Life Sketch given at Paul's Memorial Service today, May 28, 2017

Paul Chris Gering was born on December 25, 1934, on the family farm near Schrag, Washing-ton.  He was the fourth of nine children. Paul used to say his dad bought more cows than they needed, just so the boys had to milk them.  Paul attended school in Ritzvlle, Washington all 12 years of school, having an hour’s bus ride each way.  During the winter of 1950 there was a terrible blizzard and the school bus drifted off the road and became stuck in a ditch.  The bus had a smudge pot and it was the only thing that kept them from freezing to death as it was extremely cold.  There were 6 Gering children on board, two of which spent several days in the hospital after they were rescued.  They were on the bus from mid afternoon until the next morning when someone found them. 

He grew up hunting and fishing and his younger brother Floyd sent the following message this week.  “Paul was a wonderful older brother, when we were all growing up, he would often take us younger guys (Ken, Virgil, and I) for hunting and fishing activities.  I will never forget those trips and the kindness and patience that Brother Paul displayed.”

Paul’s family went to the Mennonite Church until he was 12.  They then began attending an Assembly of God church.  As a teenager he was not interested in the things of God, however, when he began attending college he became very sick with a skin disorder, and after struggling with it and the doctors not being able to help him, he then turned to God, accepting Jesus as his Savior at the age of 21.  As he grew into this new Christian life he felt called to become a minister and pastored churches in Cheney, Washington, Raymond Washington, Belfair Washington, Kalama Washington, Garibaldi Oregon and Ontario Oregon.

In 1964 he married Alberta Seely and they have three children, Paul Chris Gering, Jr., MD, Cheryl Anne Barry, and Mary Michelle LaPlante.He has six grandchildren, Maarika Gering, Katrina Gering, Paul Chris Gering, III, Benjamin LaPlante, Austin LaPlante, and AubreyBarry.

Paul is also survived by his brothers Martin Gering, Ken Gering, Floyd Gering and Virgil Gering and sister Carolyn Lattin.  He was preceded in death by both parents, brother Howard Gering and sisters Ann Farrlly and Lois McMillan.

Paul was proud to have been raised a farm boy.    He loved to garden, fish and hunt with his dogs. 

He was always looking for someone to share God with.  He would pick up hitch hikers and witness to them.  He would feed the homeless and give away his personal items to them.  After an earful of Jesus, he would send them away with gas money or his boots or a coat.

He was a hard worker and no task was beneath him.  He took the responsibility of providing for his family seriously, at times working 3 jobs to support his family.  He was kind and full of self control.

Some of the fun trips he took included a family trip to Disneyland, a trip to San Antonio, Texas with Mary and Kevin, a cruise to the Caribbean with Alberta, her brother Clarence and his wife Louise.  A cruise to Alaska, again with Alberta, Clarence, Louise and several members of their family.  By far, his favorite trip was the one the children gave him for his 70th birthday for a week at a fishing camp in Alaska.  Paul Jr. and son-in-law Kevin LaPlante were able to go with him.

In late 2012 he developed an infection in his blood that settled in four disc’s in the middle of his back, destroying the bones and tissue around it, leaving him paralyzed.  Feeding himself was the only thing he could do. He always said he would walk again, however the doctors gave him zero hope that it would ever happen and then said if it could happen it would have to be in the first year or at the most two years.  Two and one-half later he learned to stand and then slowly he learned how to walk. Every morning they would get him up and he would walk from the bedroom into the living room which was quite a distance and then he would sit in his chair which was a much faster way to get around.  Just two weeks ago his caregiver mentioned how much better he was walking.

Paul loved the Lord with all his heart and he loved being a minister.  Paul loved his family dearly and was very proud of each one.

Most of all, until his very last breath of life – Paul was a man of God!

Obituary for the newspaper

Paul Chris Gering went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 21, 2017.  He was born on the family farm near Schrag, Washington, on December 25, 1934.  He attended school in Ritzville, Washington.  He pastored several churches in the Pacific Northwest, moving to Ontario in 1979.

His is survived by his wife Alberta, children Dr. Paul Gering, Jr. (Tracy), Cheryl Barry (Kevin) and Mary LaPlante (Kevin).  Grandchildren Maarika Gering, Katrina Gering, Paul Gering III, Benjamin LaPlante, Austin LaPlante and Aubrey Barry.  Brothers Martin Gering, Kenneth Gering, Floyd Gering, Virgil Gering and sister Carolyn Lattin. 

He was preceded by both parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters. 

A celebration of his life will be held at Highway Worship Center, Fruitland, Idaho, Sunday May 28, 2017, at 2:00 pm.

 Service Information