Gerren
Richard “Ricky” Gerren, 60, of Belton, formerly of Rockdale, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. Ricky’s unexpected departure has left a profound impact on his family and the community, as they mourn the loss of a kind and self less soul.
The visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale. Ronnie Dyer will be officiating. A burial will follow in Mr. Gerren Detmold Cemetery near Thorndale.
Serving as pallbearers are Nicholas Gerren, Wesley Gerren, Jacob Gerren, Jared Gerren, Brady Unnasch and Scotty Shaefer.
Honorary pallbearers are Evan Gerren and Joshua Gerren.
Ricky was born on Aug. 20, 1963, to Edward Gerren Sr. and Glenda (Dyer) Gerren in El Paso. He grew up with brothers, cousins and many friends in Minerva, where the Gerren house was the hub of every sports competition in the small community.
On April 23, 1983, he married the love of his life, Rachel Unnasch, at St. John Lutheran Church in Thorndale. From this union came two children—Tiffany and Christopher—and six precious grandchildren.
After graduating from Rockdale High School in 1981, he began working in maintenance at Intercraft in Taylor for 23 years until operations ceased. He then worked at Alcoa for three years until their operations ended in Rockdale. He was employed as a plant maintenance technician at Brazos River Authority East Williamson County for the past 15 years.
Ricky loved spor ts. He played softball competitively for many years. When he was with Sheila Marie’s Fish Styx, they won the NSA World Series, Class E, Championship in 1996. After retiring from competitive softball, he still played softball when he could and got to play with his son in College Station on a rec league.
He was an avid bowler and bowled in leagues with his parents, children, and his wife.
In the last 10 years, he picked up golf and would play as often as he could. He was always eager to venture with his son to a new golf course to play a round.
He spent many years coaching his kids’ sporting teams as they were growing up and later was able to coach with his kids as his grandchildren began sports.
He was not necessarily a traveler, but if it meant spending time with his wife, kids, or grandbabies- he was “game” for wherever travel took him. We are grateful for the trips (especially this past year) that were spent with him.
Ricky was truly the salt of the earth and light to any darkness. He was a loving husband to his wife, an amazing dad to his children, and an amazing Pa Pa to his grandbabies and was “present” in whatever he was doing.
His instinct to help others, even in the face of danger, speaks volumes about the kind of person he was—a good Samaritan who lived his life with a generous and caring spirit.
To those who had the privilege of knowing Ricky, he was more than a friend; he was a pillar of the community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Gerren Sr. and Glenda Gerren; an infant brother; father-in-law Curtis Unnasch; and sister in-law Suzanne Gerren.
Ricky is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Rachel Gerren of Belton; daughter Tiffany Gerren-Collins and husband Kevin of Taylor; son Christopher Gerren and wife Hannah of Rockdale; brothers Eddie Gerren Jr. and wife Patti of Taylor, Kenny Gerren and wife Elaine of Calvert, Mike Gerren and wife Diana of Rockdale; mother-inlaw Betty Unnasch of Thorndale; brothers-in-law Jonathan Unnasch and Jolene Caldwell of Thorndale, Andrew Unnasch and wife Christy of Thorndale; grandchildren Alex Gerren, Ansley Gerren, Cadence Gerren, Keegan Collins, Katelyn Collins and Breelyn Collins; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.