Gerald Bechthold

Gerald Bechthold, age 72 of Gatesville, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 in Gatesville. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Gary Baxley officiating. Interment will follow at a later date at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Gerald was born on October 1, 1943 in Alice, Texas, to the late Fredrick and Elsie Janzen Bechthold. He grew and went to school in Alice, graduating from Alice High School in 1961. He served in the U.S. Army for two years as a medic, stationed in Germany, during the Vietnam Era. After his discharge, he resided in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He later worked in Phoenix and San Antonio as a boring machine operator and cable splicer. He married Kathy Hamilton Danford on Dec. 4, 1993. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Dale, Gilbert and Merle Bechthold; and one sister, Agnes DeBusk. He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Gatesville; daughter, Keri Rozier and husband, Felix of Edmond, OK; step-son, Heath Danford of Gatesville; six sisters, Verna Boyd and husband, Bill, Jenny Ebensberger and husband, Phil, Kathryn Fleming, Helen Escobar and husband, Bob, Mable Gilmore, Carol Bechthold; one brother, Howard Bechthold; two grandsons, Brodie and Beck Rozier; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to the Gatesville Boys and Girls Club, 2533 E. Main Street, Gatesville, TX 76528 or Gentiva Hospice, 2626 S. 37th St., Temple, TX 76504.