Gerald Charles Portier, 78, a native of Thibodaux, La. and a resident of Fairhope, passed away Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013.
Gerry was the son of Abdon Walter and Elizabeth Marie Ledet Portier.
Mr. Portier graduated from Thibodaux College High School in 1952 and subsequently from Louisiana State University in 1956.
He served in the United States Army for 21 years as a field artillery officer and retired from active duty on Jan. 12, 1978 in the rank of lieutenant colonel.
While on active duty, he served in combat operations in Vietnam and was the recipient of a number of military awards, including the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals, the Air Medal and two Meritorious Service Medals.
Following his military service, he worked for 13 years in senior management positions, both in Washington, D.C. and in Saudi Arabia, with an international management services firm.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia Stickney Portier of Fairhope; three brothers, Walter (Vivian) Portier, Richard (Dilly) Portier and Huey (Bernadette) Portier; three sisters, JoAnne (Harvey) Perque, Rose Marie Crochet and Carolyn (Joseph) Poole;
numerous nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
The family will have a memorial service at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Fairhope on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at 2 p.m.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the service time.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church, on Highway 1 in Thibodaux, La. in late October.
Inurnment will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, Thibodaux, La. at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604, www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope.
