Gerald Maple passed away April 6, 2017. He was born on January 21, 1928 in Harrisville, WV, son of the late Homer Harley Maple and Juanita Dell (Goff) (Maple) Skidmore. Gerald was raised by his late maternal grandparents, Herbert and Dessie Goff of Goffs, WV and the late maternal aunt, Hazel B. (Goff) Cronin.
Gerald graduated from Harrisville High School in 1945, served in the US Army 1946 - 1948, honorably discharged as Corporal. Graduated with BS (1951) and MS (1953) degrees in Chemistry from West Virginia University.
Gerald worked as a Jr. Chemist, Computer Programmer, Process Control Programmer, Supervisor of Chemical Engineering Computer Programs, Director of Engineering and Process Controls for Gulf Oil Corporation at their Refinery Laboratory in Philadelphia, PA and their Houston and Port Arthur Refinery offices. He transferred to Chevron Corp in 1985 before retiring in Port Arthur in 1986 and moved back to Houston in 1988.
Gerald was an active member of Cypress United Methodist Church in Cypress, Texas. He assisted his wife Wilma in starting and supporting several Senior Adult programs for the church such as 50Plus, CAPS (Community Activities Program for Seniors), The Gathering, Senior Travel Ministry and Writing Your Life classes.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Wilma May (McCourt) Maple and one brother, Eugene Randall Maple.
Gerald is survived by his six children, Karen (Michael) Johnson of Houston, Cheryl Ann Maple of Houston, Linda (Jerry) Ursprung of Liberty, TX, Jody (William) Cromwell of Conroe, TX, Richard (Amber) Maple of Kemah, TX and Debra (Robert) Sundquist of Parker, Co; 11 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren.