Gerald "Gerry" Vivero

Gerry (Gerald) Vivero was born September 24, 1947. My beloved husband of 31 years and life partner for 40 years loved life, lived it to the fullest, with gusto. Gerry was the love of my life, my soul mate, my all-time favorite “to hang out with”. We enjoyed adventurous travels to new places, meeting people from other cultures. He was taken from me January 8, 2020 suddenly by a short, severe illness.

Before he joined the Army, Gerry worked for the City of Dallas Police Department as a City Marshal and Mayor’s Bodyguard. He also worked in the family restaurant, Rodarte Y Vivero’s Mexican Food.

Gerry joined the US Army in 1979 and was stationed in Germany. He was the winner of the 1979 Valley Forge Honor Certificate, the Silver German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship, completed the 3rd Armored Division Sniper Training Program in 1980 and earned a Good Conduct and Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1982.

An avid reader, history buff, and cultural explorer, he started traveling Europe while in the Army. He ran with the bulls in Pamplona and the original Greek Marathon from Marathon to Athens, Greece. He saw an ad in the Stars and Stripes newspaper for TDY (temporary duty assignment) volunteers for the “Adventure Training Program” in the Bavarian Alps. Gerry applied, was selected, and sent to the Armed Forces Recreation Center in Berchtesgaden, my home town. He learned mountaineering winter and summer survival skills, which he taught to rotating platoons in a weekly program. Once the program was turned over to be run by civilians, Gerry stayed on as an instructor.

In 1981 we met on the dance floor and became soul mates for 40 years, 31 years of marriage. A gifted athlete, Gerry loved all the outdoor activities like hiking, biking, backcountry skiing, traveling Europe, and the Bavarian culture. Our lives lead us to Munich, where Gerry worked at the AAFES (Armed Forces Exchange Service) Sports Store as Floor Supervisor and Tech Shop Manager. He moved on to the USMC Education Center as an Education Counselor. Returning to retail, he completed the AAFES Management Development Trainee Program and managed the PX in Herzogenaurach. We moved back to Berchtesgaden where he managed the AAFES Sport Store, PX, and the movie theater.

In 1986 Gerry graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business from the University of Maryland.  After the Cold War ended in 1991, troop reductions closed the Armed Forces Recreation Center in Berchtesgaden. Gerry then worked at the Insula Adipositas Rehabilitation Center as a co-therapist.

Gerry had lost his Dad, Leo, and his stepdad, Manuel, in the same year and began to miss his family. With the help of his mother, Alice, and his sister, Beverly, we moved to Lewisville, TX in 1998. Gerry first worked at the family restaurant, Blue Moon Cafe.

Then, he discovered his passion for teaching and enrolled in the Region XI Teacher Preparation Program in 2001. He held Texas Educator Certificates in Generic Special Education (PK-12), All Level Physical Education (PK-12), English as a Second Language (PK-12), SST (8-12), and General Education EC-4.

Gerry taught at Calhoun Middle School, Denton ISD, Rylie Academy in Dallas, Lake Dallas Middle School, Lake Dallas ISD, and Durham Middle School, Lewisville ISD. His part-time teaching interests included ESL for adults, and he loved working at the Science Place as a Science Workshop Teacher. Once retired, he thoroughly enjoyed teaching part-time at the Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Denton.

Gerry took a genuine interest in people, was loved by his friends, students and colleagues alike. His rich life experience and maturity helped him connect to his students and unique ways. Gerry had a big heart for all of his Special Education students, genuinely cared about them. He loved asking his ESL students about their countries and cultures. One of his favorite conversation openers was “where are you from”? As the news of his passing traveled, I heard from many friends and colleagues whose lives he touched with his positive, fun-loving, up-beat personality, always a smile on his face.

He was blessed with two children from his first marriage; Gerry Vivero and Pilar Abels. Gerry and his wife, Lynette, enriched our lives beyond measure with their precious daughters Lauren, age 14, and Emily, age 10.

Gerry is survived by me, his wife, Doris Gammenthaler-Vivero; beloved children, son, Gerry Vivero (Lynette), daughter, Pilar Abels (Lee); precious grandchildren Lauren and Emily; dearest siblings, Beverly Rodarte and Gene Vivero (Janie); aunt, Rachel Medina; uncle, Jesse Vivero (Aurelia); nieces and nephews (and their families), Kimberly Moreno, Gena & John Egelston, Amy & Luis, Sophia & Dr. Michael Pellegrini, Chris & Leslie Rose; cousins (and their families), Carlos, Teresa, Arthur, Richard, Roland, Jesse, Linda, David, Jr. and Rosemary.  He is also survived by his in-laws in Germany; mother-in-law, Hanna Gammenthaler; sister-in-law, Berti Gammenthaler; sister-in-law Vera Hannawald and nieces,Melanie Hannwald and Alexandra Hannawald.

Gerry will be sorely missed by many great, dear friends all over the world, especially his friend since High School: David Moseley, Rodney Canning, Tom Ray, and Ernst Schellmoser.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Allen Family Funeral Options.