Gerald Charles Binder

Gerald Charles Binder, born to Karl and Mary (Wittkopp) Binder on December 19, 1934 in Plymouth, WI, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 12, 2021 in Sachse, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet (Schoenfeldt) Binder; his three brothers, Daniel Binder, Carl Binder, and Ralph Binder; sisters-in-law Jean Binder and Judy Horstman; brothers-in-law, Wayne Jerden, James Horstman, and Joseph Andrey; daughter-in-law, Joan Wyrick; and nephew, Peter Binder. He is survived by his sister, Mary (Binder) Jerden, and wife, Mary (Horstman, Wyrick) Binder. He is also survived by his children and spouses, Gerald (Jay) Binder Jr. and Korin, Kim (Binder) Barton and Kevin, Michael Binder and Elizabeth, Gary and Deanna Wyrick, Larry Wyrick; sisters-in-law, Joanie Binder, Deborah Binder, Iris Horstman, and Lois Andrey; and brothers-in-law and spouses, Edward Horstman and Carole, and Michael Horstman and Lori; as well as grandchildren and spouses: Jeff Binder, Matthew Binder and Kerbi, Brittany (Binder) Holden and Charles, Rebecca (Barton) Bender and Anthony, Blake Barton, Christine (Binder) Hancock and Tyler, Andrea (Wyrick) Gardenhire and Stanton, Erin (Wyrick) Farris and Andrew, Ben Wyrick and Kathy, John Wyrick and Jessica, Amelia (Wyrick) Fuhrmann and Abe, Rose (Wyrick) Hellinger and Sam, Samantha Wyrick, Laura Wyrick, Alexis Wyrick, and Theresa Wyrick; and twenty-three treasured great-grandchildren; and numerous well-loved nieces and nephews. He held all as precious in his heart and loved all of them dearly.

Jerry was born during the Great Depression in Plymouth, Wisconsin and learned early in life the necessity of hard work and living through difficult times. Portions of his youth were spent working as a hired farm hand on various farms in the region, many times leading a team of four plow horses in the field. Jerry's parents were devout Lutherans, and Jerry attended Lutheran School through the 8th grade and went on to graduate from Plymouth High School. Faced with limited employment opportunities, Jerry jumped at the chance to travel to Texas to help his older brother, Carl, recover from surgery, and he never looked back. He wasn't born in Texas but he and his high school sweetheart, Janet Schoenfeldt, got here as fast as they could, married in May 1954, and started a family. Starting with just the loose change in his pocket, Jerry got his first job in Texas as a laborer for Boch Construction Company under the guidance of Glen Jones, who personally oversaw Jerry's training. Jerry rapidly advanced to the position of Carpenter, Carpenter Foreman, and Site Foreman under the mentorship of Mr. Jones, who loved to call Jerry by the nickname of "Damn Yankee". Eventually all four brothers and the entire Binder clan ended up in Texas by the mid-1960s.

Jerry loved his family most of all. The family valued their vacations over the years, road trips to visit relatives in Wisconsin, and a memorable vacation in Colorado. Special memories are Easter, family reunions, watching and attending Cowboys games, picnics, nights at the drive-in movies, fireworks in the backyard, steaks on Sunday evenings, practicing baseball with the kids, helping Jay build a barn for cows, helping Kim with her horse Mariah, and a special day for Mike, when Jerry brought home new motorcycles that began a collection that brought decades of fun for family and friends.

In 1969, Jerry and his younger brother Danny formed Binder Construction Company. Their first office was on Katy St. in Garland. They later built a new office on East Walnut St. which housed the company for over 20 years. The company was very successful and flourished throughout the '70s and '80s. Sadly, Jerry's brother Danny passed in 1987. Their business approach was to "do a job right and always be fair to your customers and employees". Jerry was often heard saying "If you don't have time to do it right, you don't have time to do it at all". He continued to run the company until the untimely passing of his wife, Janet, in December 1989, which prompted him to retire from the construction industry in January of 1990. At this point he pursued business interests by continuing to invest in real estate and managing properties with Mr. Jones. Jerry and Mr. Jones enjoyed many fruitful and enjoyable years in this rewarding endeavor.

Jerry was well known and loved by many people in the community. He had countless business and personal friends throughout the years and valued those relationships dearly. Many of these friends and family attended Jerry's 80th surprise birthday party in 2014 where we celebrated his life.

In the late '90s, Jerry was reacquainted with Mary (Horstman) Wyrick through a business request and over the coming years built a deep friendship which eventually bloomed into a long-lasting romance. Jerry married Mary on March 6, 1999, forming a blended family with their five grown children and their families. The following years were spent traveling to the Caribbean, South America, all fifty states, and numerous National Parks. Spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was always a joy for them.

Jerry finished his life upbeat and strong to the very end. He faced his last days with courage, strength, and dignity. He will be greatly missed, but his words, life-lessons, and the memories of him will continue on with all those he touched in his lifetime.

Visitation services will be held at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home in Sachse, TX on Tuesday, November 16th from 5:00PM – 8:00PM. A memorial service will be held at the same location the following day at noon, followed by a graveside interment service.

Services entrusted to Charles W. Smith & Sons of Sachse, Texas.