Gerald Dee Love, 85, Springfield, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2020, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  He passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his wife and five children.

Gerald was born July 25, 1934 in Springfield, the son of James Karl and Laura Katherine (Glenn) Love.  He attended Springfield High School.  Gerald served in the United States Naval Reserves from 1952 and was honorably discharged on January 14, 1961.  He married the love of his life, Betty (Reynolds) Love on June 16, 1956.  Shortly after they were married, he began learning his trade in the refrigeration business while working at Reynolds Electric Refrigeration.  After many years in the refrigeration business, he began his 35-year career at Paul Mueller Company in 1962, working his way up to Vice President of International Sales.

Gerald was extremely involved with his community.  He was a charter member of Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma Club, where he was a Gold Coat President, and a charter member of All-Star Smiles Sertoma.  Gerald was recognized as the 2009-2010 All-Star Smiles Sertoman of the Year.  He was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield Hall of Fame on January 15, 2013.  Gerald also received the Lifetime Achievement Award "Sertoma" Gold belt from Smitty's Midwest Boxing Club on October 29, 2016.  In June of 2019, Gerald was presented as a Lifetime Member of All-Star Smiles Sertoma Club.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Katherine Love (Springfield, Missouri), his twin brother Darrel Love (Springfield, Missouri), and older brother James Love (Kansas City, Missouri).

Gerald is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Betty; his children Mark and Tina Love (Miller, Missouri), Suzi and David Kellough (Springfield, Missouri), Dina and Jay Brabson (Springfield, Missouri), John and Melissa Love (Kansas City, Missouri) and June and Rodney Buford (Lee's Summit, Missouri), two sisters Jean Gist (Springfield, Missouri) and Glenda Williams (Lancaster, California), 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Gerald will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and time to be determined.