James Leroy Gereaux

James (Jim) LeRoy Gereaux October 26, 1949 – April 15, 2020 Jim Gereaux died at home on April 15th, 2020 with his wife at his side. Jim was born in SanDiego, California on October 26th, 1949 to Virgil (LeRoy) and Velma (Beasley) Gereaux. He graduated from Kent Meridian High School in 1968 and joined the US Navy. Jim served three and a half years during the Vietnam Conflict. In 1980 Jim began his 38 year career in the Maritime Transportation industry. He retired in 2018 after working for Dunlap Towing as a Tugboat Captain pulling a barge between Seattle and Honolulu. It was a career he truly enjoyed and loved being at sea! Jim is survived by his wife and love of his life, Connie (Ballard). Jim and Connie met in 1973, they married in 1977 but later divorced. After having no contact for 26 years, they reunited in 2010, remarried in 2012, and were blessed to be able to share the last ten years together. Jim is also survived by his sister Cathy Andrews of Surprise, Arizona; his nieces, Nichole Nicholls (James) and Jonelle Delk (Tad), his nephew John Andrews (Ally), and their families; and his step-son, Darren Redwing (Jordan). There will be a service at Tacoma National Cemetery after gathering restrictions in Washington State are lifted.