James Bernard Gerton

James Bernard Gerton
December 10, 1943 December 10, 2010
Indian Land, SC

Jim (James) Bernard Gerton was born on December 10th, 1943 in San Francisco, CA. He grew up in Pleasanton, CA, graduating in 1961 from Amador Valley High School. Jim had a lifelong passion for learning, and earned Bachelors degrees in French from UC Santa Barbara in 1965, and in Civil Engineering from Kansas University in 1987, where he graduated with honors and was named the Civil Engineering Student of the Year. After earning his first degree, Jim married F. Lee Schwartz with whom he had his only two children. He spent 14 years working as a buyer at the Popular Department Store in El Paso, Texas; following a divorce, he met Sara Ellett, with whom he spent the next 30 years, the bulk of which were in Charlotte, NC. He obtained a position with the City of Charlotte Water Department, where he spent his next 20 years of employment, retiring at the end of 2008.

Along with being an avid reader and sudoku player, Jim was an exercise enthusiast his entire life and enjoyed many outdoor activities, including running, hiking, biking, skiing, swimming, and gardening. Jim inherited his love of travelling from his mother Margaret and had visited most of the states in the US as well as many countries around the world. One of his undergraduate experiences at UC Santa Barbara was a semester spent abroad in France to help him perfect his knowledge of the French language and culture. At the time of his death, Jim was in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Egypt with his sister Char to visit his nephew Vernon, who is in the military.

Jim moved to Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, SC, in 2008 where he met new friends and indulged in several new hobbies, including woodworking and karaoke and was a member of the lifelong learning club. The family is particularly thankful to Jean Harrison, Jims special friend at Sun City, for her companionship and kindness in his last years, which were some of his happiest.

Jim was the eldest child of Bernard and Margaret Gerton and is survived by his children Jordan Gerton (Brenda Mann) & Heidi Gerton (Jason Henderson), his grandchildren Marina and Kai Gerton and Juaquin Gerton-Henderson and his siblings Charlene Henshaw, Donald (Rusty) Gerton, Mark Gerton & Ron Smith, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jims death was sudden, unexpected and untimely and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial celebration will be held early in 2011. Please email jim.gerton.memorial@gmail.com if you would like more information regarding the memorial or to send a message to the family. Memorial contributions can be made to Habitat for Humanity (www.habitatcharlotte.org) or the Public Library (https://purchase.plcmc.net/fundform/annualfundform.htm) in Jims name. OnlineCondolences @ Palmettofh.com. Palmetto Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Fort Mill is serving the family of Mr. Gerton.

To plant a tree in memory of James Bernard Gerton, visit the Tribute Store .