Barbourville Mountain Advocate dated November 25, 2004
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Gerald J. Syme Gerald J. Syme, 85, died Nov. 11, 2004 at the Hospice Care Unit in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was born in Kentucky to Lester and Lora Detherage Syme on June 10, 1919. As a young man, he lived and worked around the coal mines. As he grew older, he and some of his friends joined the Army for adventure and a small regular income. Gerald was placed with the 10th Armored Division at Fort Knox, Ky. He was here when World War II was declared. The boys started preparing for over seas duty, about this time he met his future wife, Jewel Miracle Syme. They were married Oct. 10, 1942. To this union, two daughters were born: Geraldine Syme Black, deceased, and Phyllis Jean Olmstead, now of Royal Palm Beach, Fla. Gerald was placed with the 10th armored division and was sent to the European Theater for active duty which included "The Battle of the Bulge." He served his country for five years and was honored by being issued some very distinguished medals that included: The Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, The Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal. Gerald was always proud of his awards and the signed signatures of the validity. After being discharged from the Army, Gerald continued his education. He was a graduate of Knox Central High School and Union College, Barbourville, Ky. He taught for thirty years in the Knox County School System, in Kentucky. He also taught some night classes for adults, that helped them with their everyday activities and preparations for a better job. Gerald was a devoted Christian person. He was once an active member of the First Baptist Church of Barbourville, Ky. and of the First Baptist Church of Dearborn, Mich., of which he was a member at his death. In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by three sisters; Connie, Phoeba and Freeda, four brothers, Garland, Jesse, Myrl and Melvin and a daughter, Geraldine Syme Black. Gerald is survived by his wife, Jewel Miracle Syme, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; his daughter, Phyllis Jean Olmstead and husband Dale; two grandsons, Dale Edwin Olmstead Jr., of Royal Palm Beach, Fla. and Aaron Winston Olmstead and wife Laura: one granddaughter, Kimberly Kay McDonald and husband John, all of Taylor, Mich.; three great grandchildren, Sean Scott McDonald, Devin Gerald Olmstead and Amber Barth; two sisters, Erma and Sylvia and two brothers, Claude Syme and Dewey Syme, all of Alliance, Ohio. Gerald will be missed by many nieces, a nephew, cousins and friends. He loved people and always showed some sign of recognition by a smile, verbal, handshake, pointing, etc. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the church or charity of your choice. Burial was in Burch, Alford Cemetery, Artemus, Ky. Hopper Funeral Home was in charge of all funeral arrangements. |
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