Jerry Gautier

Jerry Wayne “Jute” Gautier, 79, died Jan. 11, 2019, in Bentonville, Arkansas.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Jan. 19, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville.

Jerry was born Feb. 3, 1939, to Claud and Sybil Gautier in Killeen. He grew up in Hamilton with his four brothers and two sisters and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1958.

He served his nation in the United States Army, joined the Waco Fire Department in 1961 and worked as a firefighter until his retirement in 1999.

Jerry loved his family. He was competitive in all he did, whether it be dominos, golf, tennis or challenging his grandchildren in endless games of pool. He loved to watch his sports teams and cheer them on during games. Jute was a very talented craftsman and loved to help out family and friends through many acts of service. He loved to make trips to Arkansas to visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claud and Sybil Gautier; three brothers, David Gautier, Don Gautier and Bill Gautier; a sister, Kathryn Turner; brother-in-law Bob Turner; and sister-in-law Nancy Gautier.

Survivors include a son, Tommy Gautier and wife Kellye of Bentonville; brother Bob Gautier and wife Johnnye of Hamilton; sister Pam Eilers and husband Larry of Hamilton; five grandchildren, Adrienne Woods and husband Jonathan of Rogers, Arkansas, Nathan Gautier and wife Kristen of Jackson, Missouri, Natalie Wilson and husband Joseph of Bentonville, Jonathan Gautier of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Timothy Gautier of Bentonville; great-grandchildren Henry and Amelia Woods and Thomas Wilson; sisters-in-law Pat Gautier of Kingsland and Mary Gautier of Granger; and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.