Deacon Gerald ‘Jerry’ Wyngaard
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 24, at St. Gabriel, Chesterfield, for Deacon Gerald “Jerry” Wyngaard who passed away on Thursday, Feb. 17.
Prior to his ministry, Deacon Wyngaard served as an officer in the Air Force for 27 years after graduating from the Air Force Academy. He retired as a colonel.
Following retirement, he began teaching math and coaching high school football. He also taught for several years at the Riverside Regional Jail.
In 2002, he earned a graduate degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University of New Orleans. He earned a master’s in theology from St. Leo University in 2021 and was ordained a deacon on Nov. 3 that same year.
In addition to his prison ministry, Deacon Wyngaard served in diaconal ministry at St. Gabriel and Good Samaritan, Amelia.
He is survived by his wife, Candy, and five children: April (Michael) Guminsky; Rebecca (Tucker) Wright; Todd (Kim) Wyngaard; David (Thelma) Wyngaard; and Peter (Patty) Wyngaard.
He is further survived by siblings Jack and Joe Wyngaard, and Judy Ebert, and by 15 grandchildren.
Deacon Wyngaard was buried with full military honors at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia.