Obituary of Gerald James Trekas

Gerald James "Jocko" Trekas, 89, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, World War II Veteran and Christian entered into rest, September 23, 2014 in Gilbert, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 9, 1925 in Gladstone, Michigan to Stephan Trekas and Clara Patrine Trekas. He moved West, and after many years of service, he retired from the Snowflake Paper Mill in Snowflake, Arizona, and thereafter settling in Deer Creek Village, a small community South of Payson, Arizona. A tail-gunner on an aircraft in the United States Navy, Gerald served and defended our country during World War II, completing countless successful missions while placing himself in danger. Inspired and admiring the works of Henry David Thoreau, and Mahatma Gandhi to name a couple, Gerald devoted his life to perfecting the art of "living simple," a way of life he lived by example and with great success. The wealth of a man should not be measured by the material riches accrued in his life, he once said, but by the example of a life lived. He did not possess many material things, only items that had meaning and purpose to him. Gerald indeed lived a life by example, and did this well before his passing. An "Icon" is described in a dictionary as, "a person who is very successful and admired," Gerald Trekas was an Icon, and has forever etched his place in history. His simple way of life was important to him, he lived life on his own terms, often sacrificing and going without to help others. His Iconic way of life continues to inspire his family and friends, insuring his legacy will be passed down, generation-to-generation. He also had a humorous side, he would often say when visiting family for a night, "we can only stay a month." Gerald is survived by his wife, Charlotte "Chickie" Trekas, his son, Jonas Trekas, daughters, Clara Settle, Becky Hebert-Trekas and Tina Myers. Grandchildren, Tammy Knight, Ace Trekas, Jason Trekas, Clay Settle, Jane Powers, Buddy Hale, Tiffany Hale, Randi Thornton, Jena Magley, Lily Settle, Colter Settle and 22 Great-Grandchildren. A sister, Norma Jane Malles, brother's Ronnie Trekas and Larry Trekas. Predeceased by brother's, Theodore Trekas and Keith Trekas, and sister, Vivian Look.