Gerald Porche

Gerald Erick (Jerry) Porche, 91, lately of Birmingham, Alabama, died on February 21, 2024.

He was born in Houma, LA on July 17, 1932 to Annie E. Giroir and Roland J. Porche. He attended St. Francis de Sales School before beginning his collegiate career at Nichols Jr. College before transferring to Southwest Louisiana Institute to pursue a degree in civil engineering. He remained a proud Ragin' Cajun until the day he died.

Upon graduation, he went to work with the US Corp of Engineers before joining the US Navy. Assingment to the SeaBees ultimately took him to Pensacola, FL and the love of his life Mary Alma Lysek.

Jerry continued his career with the Corps of Engineers after moving back to Louisiana. He called the Mississippi Gulf Coast home for 35 years, retiring first from Civil Service at Keesler AFB and then the City of Biloxi. Retirement and grandchildren led them to spend the next 20 years in Baton Rouge, LA.

Jerry was always an active member of his parish churches, devoting his time and energy alongside his wife and partner in everything. His most notable contributions were given to religious education, Knights of Columbus, and Saint Vincents de Paul. They were longtime members of St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs and St. Patrick in Baton Rouge.

Jerry served on the Biloxi City council in his professional capacity as City Engineer and on the Ocean Springs Recreation Board.

Everyone who knew Jerry knew how much he loved kids and sports. No matter what his children played, Jerry could be found doing anything and everything from lining the field on Saturday mornings to stepping in as coach, mentor, referee, cheerleader.

Jerry will always be remembered for his sense of humor and the way he was always there for anyone who needed him. We'll always imagine hearing him say "be good" one more time. We couldn't have asked for a better husband, brother, father, grandfather or friend and will miss him everyday. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Gerald Erick Porche was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Marie Pittler, Michelle Austin, Jeannine Meier, and G. Erick Porche, Jr.; grandchildren James (Jay) Austin, Jessica Hoffa, Robert (Drew) Austin, Danielle (Alex) Pittler, Shandice Kellett, Gabriel Gilbert, and Evelyn Gilbert; great-grandchildren Makenzie Hoffa and Lorelai Hoffa; as well as his sister, Ollie Porche Voelker and her children.

The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, MS on March 5, 2024 at 10:00 am and burial will be in Ocean Springs, MS. Donations to your local St. Vincent de Paul Society would be greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers.