Geralyn "Gerri" Simone Gagnon-Porter Obituary (1958 - 2025)

Born Nov 29, 1958, Geralyn "Gerri" Simone Gagnon-Porter attended Spencer High School in Columbus, GA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Geralyn "gerri" Simone Gagnon-porter.

Graduation Year	Class of 1977
Date of Birth	Nov 29, 1958
Date of Passing	May 12, 2025
About	Geralyn "Gerri" Simone Gagnon-Porter, age 66, of LaGrange, Georgia, formally of Columbus, Georgia, passed away suddenly on May 12, 2025. Geralyn was born on November 29, 1958 in Fort Hood, Texas to Master Sergeant Lionell C. Gagnon, United States Army, (1930-1998) and Lorraine R. Violette Gagnon. She is preceded in death by her father and her late husband Carl S. Porter (1952-2012) of LaGrange, Georgia. Gerri, as she was know to her classmates, attended Wm. H. Spencer High her Freshman and Sophomore years. She then transferred to Pacelli Catholic High School and graduated in 1977. While at Spencer, Gerri enrolled in JROTC and was the Battalion Clerk her Sophomore year. She was also active in Tri-Hi-Y, the French Club, and spoke fluent French. Geralyn is survived by her mother, Lorraine Gagnon, her children, Stephanie Aarstad (Robert), Carla Burgoyne (Kenneth), and Rebecca Carter (Michael); her brother, Ronald Gagnon (Linda), Gregory Gagnon, Philip Gagnon, and Robert Gagnon; her sisters, Veronica Gagnon, Teresa Maino (Rob), and Elizabeth Rusnak (Chris); and many loving nieces and nephews as well as extended family. She was also a proud and loving grandmother to Zachary, Jason, John Luke, Alaina, Luke, Victoria, and Bryant. Geralyn was a devoted supporter of St, Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and a practicing Catholic. Gerri had a lifelong affection for animals and found tremendous joy through her vocation. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Geralyn’s memory.

Classmate Memories

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John Ross '75 said:

Gerri was a key player in Spencer earning it's first JROTC "Honor Unit with Distinction" rating after our 1975 Annual Federal Inspection in May of 1975. Her devotion and attention to detail earned the S1 Adjutant's office a 99% grade, the highest of any of the other staff elements (S2 Weapons, S3 Ops-Training, S4 Supply, and S5 Public Affairs) at Spencer High. Gerri was also a big alumni supporter who assisted with the coordination of the Benning Bratz reunions for 1988, 2000, 2002 and 2004. Gerri transferred to Pacelli High and graduated in 1977. There's no doubt that if Gerri had returned for her Junior year at Spencer, Sergeant Burke would have tapped her to be the first Female staff officer. She was that good! Thank you, Gerri, for a job well done.

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