| Notes |
- Gerald Wayne Kammel
1947 - 2018
photo
Gerald Wayne Kammel
May 11, 1947 - March 8, 2018
It is with deep sadness we share that our beloved Gerry passed away on March 8, 2018. He was born May 11, 1947 in Los Angeles, California to Ruby and Boyd Kammel. As a young child he found a love of baseball and fishing. Gerry attended Excelsior High School from 1961-1965 achieving amazing success and awards for both scholastic and athletic achievements. He held 14 varsity letters and ultimately received a full ride scholarship for his baseball talents to Chapman University.
While at Chapman University, Gerry was awarded Most Valuable Player of the NCAA League in 1968 and was the catcher for the National Championship Team that year, receiving a championship ring that he wore and displayed proudly. He received his bachelor's degree in 1971. On October 18, 2008, he was inducted into the Chapman University Hall of Fame which was a momentous achievement and one he was very proud.
Gerry also served his country in the Army Reserves for 6 years during the Vietnam Conflict. He was an avid baseball player and enthusiast. Gerry was able to fulfill his baseball dream playing professionally in the early 70's with the San Diego Padre Baseball Organization. After following this dream, his career focused on the brewing and food manufacturing industry where Gerry worked as Plant Manager at several facilities before his early retirement in 2008 to accommodate the primary care of his sister in-law. He lived in Los Angeles and Orange County for 60 years before retiring to Bakersfield.
Anyone and everyone that knew Gerry or "Herd," as his teammates called him, knew his love of God and family were closely followed by Baseball and Fishing. He loved the ocean and fished as often as he could. He spent hours playing, as he called it, with his amazing collection of fishing rods, reels and tackle. You could find him most days in his garage doing what he loved. During their retirement he and Barbara traveled extensively and loved the sun, water, casinos and all the wonderful places of the world.
Gerry will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his parents Ruby and Boyd Kammel. He is survived by his wife of 14 years Barbara (Bobbi) Kammel, his son Casey (Lisa) Kammel and two beloved granddaughters Olivia and Cooper, and his ex-wife Francine Kammel, by his sisters Jean E. Kammel and Suzie (Jim) Wray, his stepdaughters Christine Goedhart-Humphrey (Gregory Humphrey) and Alissa (Paul) Reed, and their children Kohl Humphrey, Lindsay (Wesley) Soto, and Caitlyn (Jakob) Witt, 3 great grandchildren Alani, Addison and Brayden, and many nieces and nephews.
Services to celebrate Gerry's life will be held on: Thursday, March 15, 2018 11:00am at Ridgeview Community Church, 8420 Stine Road, Bakersfield, CA The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donation in his name be made to the Aquarium of the Pacific (http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/give) or Optimal Hospice of Kern County (http://www.optimalhospicefoundation.com/index.php/donate/how-to-donate)
|
1947 - 2018 (70 years)
