Gerald Lee Fitzgerald

It is with both heavy and joyful hearts that we announce the passing of Gerald Lee Fitzgerald, age 77, who passed away on August 17, 2026. A longtime and beloved resident of the Krotz Springs community and a lifelong parishioner of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Krotz Springs.

A Memorial Mass for Gerald will be held at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Krotz Springs, LA; Friday, August 21, 2026 at 1pm.

Gerald’s love for God was deep and unwavering. His Catholic faith was a treasured part of his life, and he lovingly passed that faith on to his family. He loved Jesus with all his heart and always had a thirst to grow deeper in his faith and knowledge of God. His faith was a beautiful part of the man he was and the legacy he leaves behind.

To some, he was known as Mr. Cash. To others, he was Mr. Heavy Duty or simply Uncle Gerald. To his wife, Linda, he was her husband, best friend, and partner in life for 50 years—a lifetime filled with love, laughter, memories, and, of course, just enough aggravation to make sure neither one of them ever got bored.

To his children, he was dad and the one they could always count on…unless he was behind the wheel. Then you better watch out. Gerald was the kind of dad who would get excited when one of his daughters would walk in front of the vehicle, blow the horn just to scare the life out of you, and then laugh so hard at your reaction that you couldn’t help but laugh too. He believed this was perfectly acceptable parenting. As well as in his more limber days where he would get on all fours chasing his children and grandchildren around the house, snorting and hollering warthog as they laughed and screamed and ran to the safety in their beds.

And to his grandchildren, he was their beloved Poppy—always ready with a joke, some back-and-forth banter, a little picking, and enough smart remarks to keep everybody on their toes.

Gerald was the tenth of eleven children born to Etienne and Elena Hollier Fitzgerald. By the time they got to number ten, we can only assume his parents were running low on names. And somehow, Gerald Fitzgerald made the final cut.

Gerald began his career at Cash Auto Supply in 1970 at the young age of 21. He probably had no idea then that this job would become so much more than a career. It would become a huge part of his life, his family, and the community he loved.

In 1991, Gerald and Linda became owners of the business, where they spent many years serving the people of Krotz Springs and the surrounding communities before Gerald finally retired in 2022.

And if you lived in or around Krotz Springs, chances are you knew Gerald. Gerald never met a stranger. If you walked into Cash Auto Supply, you might have come in looking for a part and walked out 45 minutes later after hearing a story, and a joke or twenty.

He had an incredible memory for his customers. He remembered their names, their families, their stories, and the things that mattered to them. As well as those customers who still owed him, to this day.

Gerald’s kindness was one of his greatest gifts. He genuinely cared about people and loved helping others whenever he could. For him, a customer was never just a customer. They were a friend, a neighbor, and someone he was grateful to know.

But Gerald’s greatest accomplishment was never Cash Auto Supply, though. It was his family.

He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud Poppy, and a friend to so many. His laughter, his jokes, his playful picking, and his unmistakable personality brought joy wherever he went.

While our hearts are heavy with the loss of a man who meant so much to so many, they are also filled with gratitude—for the 77 years we were blessed to have him, for the memories he gave us, for the people he touched, and for the love he shared so freely.

Gerald may no longer be standing behind the counter at Cash Auto Supply, greeting customers, telling stories, and making people laugh, but the mark he left on this community will never fade.

Gerald is survived by the beautiful wife that he dearly loved, Linda Stermer Fitzgerald.

He leaves behind his three daughters, who were his world and some of his greatest accomplishments: Lisa Reed, his taxi driver and his mother figure and her husband, Jason, who was more like a son to Gerald. Amanda Jeffers, the cook and the one who bossed him around. And last, but certainly not least, his favorite daughter Valerie Willey who he looked at like his nurse, and kept him on his toes, and her partner Jay. We will let the other two daughters argue with him about that “favorite” part later.

Gerald was a great dad but even a better Poppy to his precious grandchildren who brought so much joy—along with a few gray hairs, some wrinkles, and probably a few headaches:

Jacelin Melancon and her husband, Jake; Madison Taylor and her fiancé, Hunter; Lucas Reed and his fiancée, Camryn; Lorcan Reed; Lakota Reed; Kayle Willey and her fiancé, Cade; Rowen Jeffers and his fiancée, Makayla; Layton Reed; Brannen Jeffers; and Isaiah Willey.

He was also blessed with two beautiful great-granddaughters, Blair Zimmer and Emersyn Reed, who brought him so much happiness, along with two more great-granddaughters on the way.

Gerald also leaves behind cherished family members whom he dearly loved, including his former sons-in-law, Matthew Willey and Tony Jeffers; his brothers, EJ, Donald, and Charles Fitzgerald; his sisters, Mary Ann Morrow and Maxine Hagan; his brother-in-law, Henry Stermer and his wife, Angie; and his sister-in-law, Adrienne Stermer. Gerald is now reunited with his granddaughter, Haven Willey; grandson, Landon Reed; his parents, Etienne and Elena Fitzgerald; his mother-in-law, Vera Vining; along with siblings, brother- Fredrick Fitzgerald; and sisters-Joyce Marks, Betty Soileau, Belva Plaisance and Gayle Morrow. As well as many extended family members, and friends who went before him. And what a reunion that must be!

He has probably already found his favorite chair, made a few new friends, told a few jokes and stories.

And if there happens to be a car horn somewhere up there…well, Heaven has officially been warned.

Although Gerald is no longer here with us, his stories will continue to be told, his jokes will continue to be repeated, his teasing will continue to be remembered, and his love will continue to live through the family and community he cherished so deeply. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.