Edwin "Eddie" Gummelt Jr

Servant to his Lord Jesus Christ, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, Eddie Gummelt, closed his weary eyes on this earth February 8, 2017 only to open them and view the JOY of Heaven. His life of 91 years was defined by his faith in God, love to his family and friends, and service to his country. A celebration of life will be l p.m., Saturday, February 11, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Rutherford and the Rev. Ron Durham officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 10, at Grace Gardens.

Eddie was born at home July 2, 1925, in Cottonwood, Falls County, Texas to Edwin and Olga (Polley) Gummelt. He grew up in South Waco enjoying his family's German Baptist heritage. He graduated from Waco High in 1942 and enrolled in Baylor University. As a member of the Greatest Generation, he served in WWII as Army Tech SGT. (Philippines and Japan) 1944 to 1946. Returning to Baylor, he married his college sweetheart, Sarah Elizabeth Morgan, December 21, 1946. They graduated Baylor University together May 1948 and started a family of two sons, Morgan and Marshall, and daughter, Melisa.He was a member and deacon of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church serving as Supt. of College Dept. with longtime friend, Dr. Bob Packard, for more than 20 yrs.Eddie became a Texaco gas distributor, land developer, investor, and entrepreneur in the Waco area from 1949 to his last day on earth. He believed "Life is a Gift" and he enjoyed all aspects... international travel, fishing, gardening, cooking, playing bridge, and "doing deals." He married Jerre Williams July 3, 2010 and loved showing her the "world." God blessed him so many times, and he never faltered to give his testimony whether it was requested or not.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sarah Elizabeth, of 62 years in June 2009; sister, Lorraine Sublett; nephew, Steven Sublett; brothers-in-law, Bob Whitley, Bob Sublett and Kenneth Kuehl.

He is survived by wife, Jerre; sister, Eunice Kuehl; son, Morgan (Jan); son, Marshal (Nan); daughter, Melisa Sorota (Peter); nine grandchildren, Grant (Alexandra), Gummelt, Holin (Bart) Wilbanks, Blake Gummelt (Lauren), Cary Gummelt (Cori), Megan (Will) Denton, Molly (Paul) Ortolf, Cole (Lynn) Sorota, Ally Sorota, Casey Sorota; and 14 great-grandchildren. Nephews, Kirk, Karl (Jeanne), and Kliff (Sherry) Kuehl and Brad Sublett. Additionally by Jerre's four children, Laura Williams, Kathi Posey, Mike (Amy) Williams, Mark (Cassie) Williams; seven grandchildren, Kelli (Ian) Howell, Leslie (Nick) Averill, Aaron (Jessica) Williams, Mackenzie Williams, Jon Morgon Williams, Brandon Williams, Caleb Williams; and great-grand baby to be Aug 2017.The family is forever grateful for the loving, caring professional health care support Eddie received over the years. Drs. John Shelton, Tom Lundeen, Andy Day, Jason Zagrodzky, Matt Pattillo, Mace Brindley, Mark Story, Joe Knipper, Charles Schlelcte, Robert Anderson, Dominic Nguyen, Steven Sterriker, Mark Wingate; Debbie Occi, FNP, Lynette Allsup, BSN, RN, and Tyler Jones, PT.

Memorials may be made to Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, Mission Waco, Meals and Wheels, Caritas, or your favorite charity.

Please write a short note of your "Times with Eddie" and leave it at the visitation or memorial service for the family to read later. He touched so many for so long and now... The cloud of God's Glory has filled the house of the Lord and Eddie Gummelt has a heavenly place for dwelling forever and forever where we shall meet again.

Visitation

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM ,Friday, February 10, 2017
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712

Celebration of Life

1:00 PM ,Saturday, February 11, 2017
Columbus Ave Baptist Church
1300 Columbus Ave. Waco, TX 76705

Celebration of Life

1:00 PM ,Saturday, February 11, 2017
Columbus Ave Baptist Church
1300 Columbus Ave. Waco, TX 76705