On June 18, 2022, Kermit Otto Gebert passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Kissimmee, FL.
Kermit, or KO, as he preferred, had been a resident of the Good Samaritan Village since he moved from Premont, Texas in 2010. KO was born in Elgin, TX on July 11, 1922 and as a young child moved to Los Angeles, TX with his family. After he graduated from Cotulla High School in 1941 and before World War II, he enlisted in the Army. After training, he spent the entire war with the US Army Air Corp in the Pacific Theater. After his military service, he attended and graduated from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX. He went to work with what became Exxon Mobil as a financial advisor. He met, fell in love with and married Helen Martin May 4, 1952. They started out their married life in Winters, TX but moved to Freer, TX and then to Premont, TX in the 1950’s. KO was born a Lutheran, but joined the Baptist Church to be with his wife. He was involved in every aspect of First Baptist Church of Premont – Sunday School teacher, Church Treasurer and Deacon. They moved to Kissimmee to be near their daughter, Karen.
KO was predeceased by Helen August 31, 2020. Left to cherish his memory are his son Karl C. Gebert (Marti) of Boerne, TX, his daughter Karen (Corley) Thompson of Orlando, FL and his daughter Kathy Fairbanks of Kissimmee. In addition there are five grandchildren (Daniel Thompson, Annette Thompson, Zerfing Fairbanks, Rebekah Fairbanks, and Sarah Fairbanks) and four great grandchildren (Makayla Fairbanks, Addison Fairbanks, Zoe Fairbanks, and Jaxson Fairbanks).
The Celebration of Life service will be at the Good Samaritan Kissimmee Village Community Church Friday, June 24th at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Scott Shoffner presiding. KO will be laid to rest at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mimms, Florida where he will be accorded Military Honors for his faithful and distinguished service to his country.