Gerald J. “Jerry” Clause died Saturday, March 27th, peacefully in his home with family. He was 81 years old. He was born April 19, 1939, in Vacherie, LA (on Oak Alley Plantation). He spent most of his earlier years in Labadieville, LA. After graduating from LSU in Electrical Engineering in 1961, he spent 2 years in the U.S. Army as a Commissioned Officer. On January 5, 1963, he married Peggy June Zeringue. Peggy and Jerry have four children, Holly, Ritchie, Melanie, and Emily. Jerry worked at the Michoud, LA facility as a Systems Engineer with Chrysler Corporation Space Division. While at Michoud, he obtained a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University. In mid-1969, Jerry and family moved to Houston, TX and settled in Clear Lake City and he began work with McDonnell Douglas on the Skylab Program. In February 1974, Jerry went to work with Rockwell International Space Shuttle Program. He had always had the desire to get into the business side of the space business. Rockwell gave him that opportunity by assigning him as Supervisor of Finance and Administration. While at Rockwell he obtained a Master of Finance from University of Houston-Clear Lake and a Certification as a Professional Contracts Manager. In March 1981, he returned to McDonnell Douglas as Director of Business Management with responsibility for all non-technical work except Human Resources. Major assignments were the construction of a seven story office building in Clear Lake City and was the Business Manager on the construction of the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (Swimming Pool). He negotiated the sale of the now Sonny Carter Training Facility.

Jerry served as President of many Professional Management Associations. He and Peggy were active with University of Houston-Clear Lake. He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus and was the first recipient of the Leadership Award. Outside of his professional work he spent free time with his family and helping others within his community. He started Clear Lake Soccer Club in the early 1970’s and coached soccer for 8 years. He also announced little league football games for the Clear Lake Space Bandits (later known as Clear Lake Space Raiders) on Saturday mornings for 13 years. In the early 80’s, he became involved with the Lunar Rendezvous Festival. He has spent the last 35+ years serving on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the festival. In 1997, he was honored to be selected to serve as King of the Lunar Rendezvous Festival. What extra free time he had from family, work and volunteering was spent traveling the world with Peggy. He and Peggy were blessed to have visited approximately 100+ different countries and cruising the world. He loved to travel. He was a kind, generous man of wit who was respected by all no matter their role in life. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Peggy Zeringue Clause, of 58 years; his four children and spouses, Doctor Holly Clause and Doctor Andy Stoebner, Tracy and Ritchie Clause, Melanie and Carlisle Smith, and Emily and Dave Corley; his ten grandchildren, Kennedy Clause, Kylie Smith, Hayden Smith, Zachary Stoebner, Jacob Stoebner, Elliott Clause, Anton Stoebner, Rachel Corley, Lindsay Corley, Juliet Stoebner. He is also, survived by his two sisters, Carolyn Clause Boudreaux and Mary Clause Rodrigue of Louisiana. He is preceded in death by his parents Ruby and Lennett Clause, his brother, Michael Clause, and his grandson, Chase Williamson.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 30, from 5pm to 8pm at Crowder Funeral Home on 111 East Medical Center Blvd in Webster, Texas. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 31, at 10:30am at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church on 3131 El Dorado Blvd in Houston, Texas. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery, Webster, TX In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lunar Rendezvous Festival Scholarships or to the charity of your choice.