Gerald Leo Bonnot

Gerald Jerry Leo Bonnot, age 84, of Jefferson City, Missouri passed peacefully February 10, 2018, at Capitol Regional Medical Center with family members by his side. Gerald was born July 10, 1933, in Jefferson City, Missouri to Leonard H. Bonnot and Angeline M. (Meller) Bonnot. He was married July 6, 1957, to Lois Ann Sanning at St. Francis Xavier Church, Taos, Missouri. He attended St. Peter High School and graduated in 1952. He attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and graduated in 1956, with an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering followed by a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958. During his college years Gerald was a member of Theta Kappa Phi Fraternity. He obtained a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He also worked to obtain his doctorate degree from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, Alabama. Gerald served four years as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard at Elgin Air Force Base in Illinois. While stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, he worked in research and development on classified missile projects. Upon completion of military service, Gerald worked as an engineer for the Missouri State Highway Department. In 1965, he began working for the Boeing Company under contract to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a Saturn V systems test engineer on the Apollo program. This program was to place and return the first men to the moon. These test facilities were located at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama; Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; and Cape Kennedy, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Gerald also worked for the Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Facilities Management, Design and Construction from 1969 until his retirement in December 2001. While working full time, Gerald taught Electronics classes at Lincoln University and the University of Missouri, Columbia. Gerald served as a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Choir, Knights of Columbus, and the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. For many years Gerald was active with promoting the Helias Catholic High School Band. He also worked for many years assisting and being a leader for the Boy Scouts of America Troop 104, Cathedral St. Josephs. His activities included boating on any lake or ocean he lived near, such as the Louisiana Bayous, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and Lake of the Ozarks. He loved swimming, fishing, ice skating, gardening, and attended many Mizzou football games. Gerald is survived by seven children: Theresa Groves (Roger) of Decatur, Alabama; Thomas Bonnot of Jefferson City; Trina Gooch (Chuck) of Columbia; Christina Predmore of Jefferson City; Leonard Bonnot (Angela) of Holts Summit; Patrick Bonnot (Lori) of Jefferson City; and Joseph Bonnot of Jefferson City; nine grandchildren: Matthew Bonnot, Jennifer Steere (Brian), Sarah Gooch, Elizabeth Bonnot, Emma Bonnot, Claire Bonnot, Truman Bonnot, Klein Bonnot, and Alden Bonnot; two step grandchildren Justin Groves and Shannon Cannon; one great-grandchild Connor Steere; six step great-grandchildren Austin Klebba, Brooke Cannon, Bethany Cannon, Fallon Groves, Ethan Cannon, and Grady Cannon; one brother, David Bonnot (Alice); one sister, Jane Neuner (John); and one sister-in-law, Rita Bonnot. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Bonnot who sacrificed his life in France in World War II; his mother, Angeline Bonnot; a brother, Charles Bonnot; a sister, Darlene Bonnot; and a son-in-law, Dale Predmore. Friends and family will be received from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2018, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Mass of Christian burial will immediately follow the visitation at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cathedral of St. Joseph School Gym/Performing Arts Expansion, 2303 West Main, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.