July 28, 1937 ~ June 11, 2025 (age 87)
Gerald Hebert Obituary
Funeral service for Gerald Wayne Hebert, 87, of Nacogdoches will be at 3:00pm on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Travis Hayman and Bro. Doc Lazarine officiating. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to service starting at 2:00pm.
Gerald Wayne Hebert, 87, of Nacogdoches, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and loyal friend was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 11, 2025.
Born July 28, 1937, in Nederland, Texas, to Eli and Lottie McDonald Hebert, Gerald learned the value of hard work beside his father, first building boats and later framing houses. A summer helping his uncle install a set of kitchen cabinets sparked a lifelong passion for fine carpentry. Armed with basic tools his mother purchased and the family garage as his first shop, Gerald launched Hebert Cabinet works and a career crafting heirloom cabinetry that now graces homes across East Texas.
On June 3, 1961, he married the love of his life, Sarah Hebert, after a chance meeting at Drake’s Drive-In and a first dance at The Black Cat set up by Sarah’s aunt Nancy. Just last week, they celebrated 64 joyful years of marriage, a testament to steadfast devotion, adventure, and a bond built on faith and love.
Gerald was a proud Master Mason, a longtime member of the Milam Masonic Lodge. He also served as a Shriner, extending his Masonic values into service that brought joy and support to others, especially children.
He was a man of deep and enduring faith. In his younger years, he was an active member of University Baptist Church (formerly College Heights) where he found joy in fellowship, worship, and service in the youth program. That foundation of faith stayed with him throughout his life and could be seen in the way he treated others with kindness, humility, and love.
At home, Gerald was the center of the family – a steady, loving father who made breakfast for his kids daily and showed his love through service. He passed that same tenderness to his grandchildren, always stepping in to help, teach, or simply be there. Gerald created a legacy of love through presence, patience, and kindness.
He also served as a youth baseball coach in Nacogdoches for 16 years, teaching kids both the fundamentals of the game and the values of integrity, humility, and teamwork.
He was known as the “Blue Bell ice cream truck man” setting up the Strawberry Patch truck at various events around town for several years. In addition to his many roles as a craftsman, coach, and caretaker, Gerald also served as the mayor of his small town, Appleby, a role he took on with humility and a deep commitment to community.
Known for his kind spirit, Gerald never met a stranger. He exuded joy, loved a good story, and was always the first to lend a hand, often with a tape measure in one hand and a joke in the other. Whether visiting friends, mentoring others, or simply sitting and chatting over coffee, he made others feel seen, valued, and loved.
Gerald is survived by his children, Renee Hebert, Shannon Hebert and wife Rhonda, Jerry Hebert, and Tammy Dawson; 9 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Gerald was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sarah Hebert; his son, Russell Hebert; and his parents.
The family of Gerald Hebert wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to Enhabit Home Health, Heart to Heart Hospice, and Happy at Home Provider services for your love, support, and extraordinary care when he needed it the most.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23
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