Ronald H Gearis

Dr. Ronald H. Gearis, age 67, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 from his home. He was born on July 26, 1939 in Hanover, PA to Albert Lewis and Mildred Shilke Gearis. He was married May 24, 1959 in Hanover to Judith Ann Mowrer Gearis. He graduated from Eichelberger High School in 1957. He received a bachelor of divinity from Luther Rice Seminary, a master?s degree from American Bible College, and a Doctor of Divinity from Trinity Baptist College, Jacksonville, FL. He also received honorary doctorate degrees from Oklahoma Baptist College, Texas Baptist College, and American Bible College. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1958-1968. He was pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Baldwin, FL from 1968-1978. In 1978, he began as a missionary-evangelist with the Rock of Ages Prison Ministry of which he became president in 1987. He was a member and trustee of Berean Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN. He is survived by his wife, Judy Gearis of Cleveland, TN; one son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Deborah Gearis of Fernandina Beach, FL; one grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Mark and Marguerite Gearis of Fernandina Beach, FL; one step granddaughter, Arianna Sauvage of Fernandina Beach, FL; and one great granddaughter, Abigail Gearis. There will be two funeral services. Services in Red Bank, TN will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2006 at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. Roger Wagner, Dr. Dan Woodward, Dr. Steve Jarrett and Missionary Ken Fielder officiating. Evangelist Kurt LaVouve will be singing. Pallbearers include Tim Goins II, Alan Ridgeway, Billy Wagner, John Wagner, Jeff Wilson and Johnny Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Rock of Ages Board of Directors and Rock of Ages Missionaries. His family will receive friends on Friday from 2 ? 4 p.m. and 5 ? 8 p.m. at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home in Cleveland, TN. Services will be held in Jacksonville, FL on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church with Dr. Rick Adams and Pastor Dewayne Jowers officiating. Missionaries Don and Bridgitte Dryden and Evangelist Kurt LaBouve will be singing. Interment will follow the service in Gethsemane Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville. Pallbearers include Larry Altman, James Coleman, Jr., Harvard Frost, Steven Johnson, Preston Johnson and Laverne Watson. Honorary pallbearers will be LeRoy Ellison, Terrill Ellison, Danny Fouraker, James Higginbotham, Terry Howe, Chuck Webber, Rock of Ages Board of Directors and Rock of Ages Missionaries. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.