Jim Gerakines' Obituary
Jim Gerakines, age 72, of Mandeville, Louisiana, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2024. He was born on December 1, 1951, in Lowell, Massachusetts.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Terrie Ann Davidson Gerakines; children, Nicholas Gerakines, Benjamin Gerakines, Charles Gerakines; grandchildren, Vanessa, Hannah, Gabriel, Ethan, Eliana, and Atlas. He is also survived by his siblings, John, Rose, and Mary. Of the two sons born of a prior marriage, Aaron and James A Gerakines, he is survived by James.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Kyriakos Gerakines and Lemonia Nellie Petropoulos; and siblings, Stephen, Georgios, Pantelis, Polyxene, Magdalena, Constantinos, Alexandra, and Kyriakos.
Jim, the youngest of twelve children born to parents who immigrated from Greece, entered the Navy on December 29, 1969. He served aboard the USS Midway and did three tours of duty in Vietnam. During his time in Vietnam, he was part of the UDTs (underwater demolition teams), which were the forerunner to the Navy Seals. Jim was awarded several medals for his service including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Meritorious Unit Commendation. After being honorably discharged from active duty on May 1, 1978, he started reserve military duty with Special Boat Unit 22 in New Orleans. Having gained the skills necessary to become a licensed electrician, he worked for local companies in New Orleans and national companies in various places in the United States and abroad, including Thailand, Venezuela, Mexico, Egypt, Quatar, Afghanistan, Honduras, and Canada, where he worked on large power plants, refineries, chemical plants, and solar plants. Thereafter, he became an electrical contractor and held licenses in numerous states, where he performed electrical contracting work.
Jim and Terrie lived for the last eighteen years in the Panama City, Florida, area until recently returning to Mandeville, Louisiana. Although work was where Jim found the greatest satisfaction, he also enjoyed sailing and baseball. Jim’s generosity and concern for the well-being of his loved ones knew no bounds, and he will be greatly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 10:30 AM at EJ Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment will be held privately at a later date at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 34888 Grantham College Drive, Slidell, Louisiana.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with the funeral arrangements. The Gerakines family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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