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BLOOMINGTON — Gerald Walter Dalrymple Jr., formely of Bloomington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (Nov. 15, 2016), in his home in Montgomery, Texas, at the age of 72.
Gerry, as he was affectionately known to his family and friends, was born Sept. 12, 1944, in Baton Rouge, La., to Gerald Walter Sr. and Ruth C. Tobie Dalrymple. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1962. He earned a bachelor of science in psychology from Arizona State University in 1968.
After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the artillery division. During his service, he received National Defense medals including Expert Badge for Rifle M-14, Rifle M-16 and hand grenade. After graduating from officer candidate school, he became a commissioned officer as a first lieutenant and was assigned to the Sixth Battalion, 21st Artillery.
During his deployment to Vietnam, he was promoted to a second lieutenant as a field artillery unit commander. His bravery during the Vietnam War awarded him a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Star, RVN Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Bronze Star.
He was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War and continued his service as a member with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4709, Conroe, Texas, and Disabled Veterans Chapter 78, Montgomery, Texas. He volunteered countless hours at the Vet Center, “keeping the promise” 711, with David Caldwell, LMSW, Houston, Texas.
He was known for his ability and compassion to help anyone he came in contact with.
In 1981, Gerry had two milestones in his life. He began his sobriety with Alcoholics Anonymous, where he helped many others obtain sobriety and a clean way of life. He also began his own business as a manufacturers' representative for the automotive industry, becoming one of the top reps in Texas by creating and maintaining lifelong relationships with his vendors and customers.
He also enjoyed golf, even hitting a hole in one. He loved hunting and spending time outdoors. Gerry was loved, respected and admired by those who were fortunate enough to know him.
Gerry is survived by his loving wife, Gail Hood Dalrymple, Montgomery, Texas; and his stepdaughters, Kari French and husband, John, and grandsons, Jacob and Jeffrey, all of Huntsville, Texas; and Larra Hood and spouse, Stephen Smith, of San Antonio, Texas.
He is also survived by his mother, Ruth Tobie Dalrymple Wieting, LeRoy; brother, David Dalrymple and wife, Ellen, of Lake Villa; sister, Janet Schroeder and husband, Richard, of LeRoy; and nephews and nieces, Amy Dalrymple, Keith and Jennifer Dalrymple, Nick and Suzanne Schroeder and Tobie Schroeder.
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James Wilson
To whom this may concern. I am sitting here the night befofre Thanksgaiving and am so sad to hear of 'Rimps" passing. As all high school friends, we always assigned a nick name to them. Rimps was a very close friend of mine and stood up for me many times with coaches when I missed practice. Rimps played defensive tackle on out footbl team tackle as he was larger than most of us skinny 15 year olds. When you got on offense, and he was on defense all friendship was off the table and he was going to take you down but after practice, we would always laugh about it and he would apologize for the fore arm shiver.that usually gave you a bloody lip. He loved to play poker with us guys but usually had to leave the game early as he would only show up with a couple of bucks. He always hung around to see who would win. Rimps, even though he was bigger than most of us had a heart bigger than any I ever met. There ins't anything he wouldn 't do for you as long as it wasn't illegal. I am 73 years old and sitting here with tears in my eyes that yet another dear friend has departed. I know for a fact that he is in a much better place and as always laughing and enjoying himself. I will never forget you Rimps. You were the best. Jim Wilson jimwilsonfl@gmail.com.
Stephen Ringler
“A Prince of a man” is a description reserved for at least one friend among many in every circle of friends throughout life and for me Gerry Dalrymple is the chosen one. Gentle, sweet, kind, and courageous.
My friendship with Gerry was more so on the four year campus of Arizona State where his fraternity life and my independent one overlapped socially to a fault;….too much fun in the sun. There is only one story I will share among many here because for me it is all Gerry.
I had invited Gerry to a Friday evening party at my off campus apartment and would swing by to pick him up at his fraternity house. I walked into his room to find Gerry standing on top of his desk chair putting on a pair of freshly pressed pants. Always the “button-down guy” he said, “I want to preserve the creases.”
Fast forward the story to my apartment party when two hours later an un invited neighbor comes into the apartment asking for “Cheap wine and cheap women!” The neighbor, known only to me is Cullen Crabbe (age 21) of the former TV show, Captain Gallant of the French Foreign Legion and his son “Cuffy” (Cullen.) (1955 -1957.) Captain Gallant was Cullen’s real life father Buster Crabbe also known for his roles as Tarzan, Buck Rodgers, and Flash Gordon as well as Olympic medalist in swimming.
Being obnoxious he was asked politely to leave several times by me and others. He became pushy with one individual too many, or to say, the wrong one. As “Cuffy Crabbe”, Cullen had played a little twrip. Now he was a grown 6’2”, 200lbs man. But Gerry was playing Gerry, and simply picked Cuffy up by the back belt and shirt collar and air lifted him from the living room out int the pool.
Returning to the apartment, Gerry looked down to exam his pants to say, “Good, still have my creases.” He had single-handedly defeated the French Foreign Legion on the shores of Tempe, Arizona.
Gerry went on to become a Class of ’62 Military Hero! certainly mine. Rest in peace my friend.
Stephen Ringler. ’62.