Jerry "Boomer" Gaut

Jerry “Boomer” Gaut was born October 6, 1939 in Mulga, AL, he died on Sunday May 8, 2022 at the age of 82.  He is preceded in death by his parents Lester and Lillian Gaut, siblings Jack Gaut, Evelyn Hubbard and Maurice Gaut and his grandson Wilson Gaut. He is survived by his children, Scotty Gaut (Nikol), John Gaut (Kim), Gina Woodrow (Drew) and Eric Gaut (Misty) and 8 grandchildren (Anjillyn, Jacob, Jessica, Zach, Frances, Griffin, Phillip and Aubrey) and 3 great grandchildren (Ethan Dale, Joseph and Brooklynn).

Jerry had a church family at Valleydale Church of Christ where he led the singing for many years. He loved to sing church hymns and would have gatherings in his home for his church family to get together and worship through song. He most recently attended Chelsea Church of Christ.

Jerry was known to most as Boomer and to his precious grandchildren as Papaw Boomer. His nickname came from his love of cranes. Boomer had a passion for his work and enjoyed 61 years of working in the crane industry, retiring at the age of 79. He loved to tell stories of incredible lifts he made at work and the many things that he helped build, from erecting the space shuttle in Huntsville and Statue of Liberty Replica in Liberty Park to building bridges. He loved it and loved to talk about it.

Boomer worked hard and played hard. He found fun in every day and loved to meet new people. He turned ordinary weekends with his children and grandchildren into adventures. Whether it was jumping in the car and taking a last minute trip somewhere or just hanging around the house it was always going to be a good time. Many trips were made to Auburn for football games. He LOVED Auburn and would take all that wanted to go.

Boomer always went the extra mile in everything he did with family and at work. Most recently he purchased a dune buggy for his grandchildren and although living on a dirt road and having plenty of space to ride, it was not enough, he created a dirt track in his yard and would spray the grandkids with the water hose as they circled around that track for hours. He truly found joy in creating joy for others.

Boomer taught his children and grandchildren and whoever else that would listen to work hard, to be thoughtful and loving to others and to be giving to those in need. He will be so greatly missed by so many people who will be telling “Boomer” stories for many years to come.