Donald Edmund Gerheauser, 87 of Tampa, Florida passed peacefully at his home on May 28, 2024. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 19, 1936, to Edmund and Pearl Mack Gerheauser. He was the oldest of 3 children and had one sister, Janet Irwin and one brother, Edmund Jr. He attended St. Louis schools and graduated from South West High School where Don ran track, was an avid photographer and sang as a baritone in the Advanced Chorus. Dons first job was a drill punch operator with Hazel Bindery in 1954 where he earned $46.00 per week. He enlisted in the Navy in 1955 and served on a flight crew as radar technician on the P2V Neptune Bombers until 1959. His flight base was Brunswick Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine. Flights took him from Iceland to Puerto Rico and many points in Europe. While in the Navy, Don earned the Dewey Award where One who has established a record of exemplary service that sets that individual apart from his/her peers. Also, during his basic training he served in the Blue Jacket Choir. In June of 1957 he met the love of his life and wife of 65 years, Louise Elizabeth Cunningham Powers of Georgetown, Maine. They were married on November 1, 1958. They welcomed their son, Mark Alan on July 29, 1959, and were all off to Endicott, NY where Don was entering his basic training for I.B.M. Then they moved to Lawrence, Mass where they lived for 2 years. They were transferred to Bangor, Maine for 3 years and had a daughter Sidonie Ann born on March 14, 1962. After Bangor they all moved back home to Georgetown where a daughter Andrea Lynn was born March 6, 1965. While continuing his career, Don also served as a Selectman in Georgetown and assisted his father-in-law, Walter F. Powers, Georgetown Road Commissioner, as a bookkeeper and many other duties. Don loved an array of activities from rebuilding the kitchen including handmade cabinets to car racing with Louises brother Chuck on ice or on the tracks. Dons service to I.B.M. included Bath Iron Works, Jackson Lab in Bar Harbor, Great Northern Paper Co, Brunswick Naval Air Station and more military installations of which he had top clearance. In 1979 Don was offered a new position with the new IBM Tampa, Fl office. Many friends were made there. He served there 9 years until going to Mechanicsburg, PA for 3 years. During his career he was recognized for his work and dedication and received many awards. After Mechanicsburg he decided it was time to retire and they moved to Ridge Manor, FL. He was called back after retirement to assist in Tampa for 2 more years making his career with I.B.M. a total of 32 years. In the summer of 2023 Don and Louise moved back to Tampa to reside with their daughter Sidonie and her daughters. Don also has grandchildren; Kristopher, Danielle, Victoria, Rebekah, Daniel, Sarah Beth and Catherine. Great grandchildren; Jason, Destiny, Mason and Brynn. All who brought joy to his life. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home in Dade City, Florida. A time of visitation and gathering will take place prior to service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Memorial Donation There are no gallery images. Visitation Wednesday, June 5, 2024 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Hodges Family Funeral Home (Dade City) 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, FL 33525 Memorial Service Wednesday, June 5, 2024 3:00 PM Hodges Family Funeral Home (Dade City) 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, FL 33525