Gerald Joseph Catts

Gerald “Jerry” Joseph Catts, 81, of Wilmington, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 28, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Jerry was born on August 14, 1942, in Washington, DC. He grew up in District Heights, Maryland. He raised his family in Huntingtown, Maryland.

He was the loving husband of Joanne Darden Catts for 51 years and the son of the deceased William Samuel Catts and Helen Gorrick Catts.

Jerry’s siblings included Michael Catts (deceased) of Catlett, Virginia, Mary Ann McCrae, Daniel Catts, John Catts (deceased), Tricia Conley, James Catts, and Gregory Catts (deceased) of Rehoboth, Delaware.

He was the loving father of Christopher Darden Catts of Clover, South Carolina, Sean Michael Catts of Burgaw, North Carolina, Ashley Marie Thornton of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Megan Elizabeth Sears of Chevy Chase, Maryland. His sons-in-law Marco Thornton and Ty Sears, and daughter-in-law Kristy Rogers Catts were embraced in his family. He was Gramps to Davis, Shea, Emma, Nathan, Darden, Luke, Lane, Max, Kate, Brooke, and Liam and he loved watching them grow up.

Gerald had a beautiful life with many deep friendships. He graduated from Frostburg State University and taught 6th grade in Prince George’s County, Maryland for 30 years. He was a devout Catholic attending St. Mark Catholic Church and regularly volunteered in the community. His fondest pastimes were ski trips, camping, and beach vacations with family and friends. In retirement, Jerry enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, supporting the UNCW basketball team, gardening, and traveling. His most memorable trips were traveling with family to St. Croix, Paris, Great Britain, Ireland, and Rome. Jerry will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

We would like to thank the healthcare providers who supported his fight against Parkinson’s. Our family was incredibly touched by the care that he received over the years from Dr. Ross Terry and his wife, Christina Terry, at Healthy Seniors Physical Therapy & Wellness. Also, a special thank you to the staff of August Healthcare who took wonderful care of Jerry and our family during his last weeks. And, to Amedisys Hospice who interceded to ensure his last days were pain-free and his family was comforted.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church on October 12, 2023 at 11 am, with a reception to follow in the parish hall. The family will meet visitors prior to the service starting at 10 am in the St. Mark gathering space. Private inurnment will occur in the church Columbarium following the mass. Visitors should feel free to go over to parish hall following mass and immediate family will meet them there after inurnment.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research | Parkinson’s Disease (michaeljfox.org).

Please leave memories and condolences for Jerry’s family by signing the Tribute Wall below.

Wilmington Funeral & and; Cremation – Wilmington Chapel – 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099