Kim R. Gerring, 66, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Woodland Manor Health & Rehabilitation Center.
He was born Feb. 1, 1953, in Elkhart to Ted J. and Gloria N. (Weaver) Gerring.
On Nov. 12, 2011, in Elkhart he married Martha F. “Marty” Decker.
She survives along with his two children, Ted R. (Dayna) Gerring of South Bend and Rachael M. (Jason) Thompson of Nappanee; five grandchildren; three stepchildren, Kama (Mike Ford) Bailey of Elkhart, Jason (Jami) Klapp of Niles and Aaron Klapp of Elkhart; and eight stepgrandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Tamy (Dewayne) Rosenberry of Bristol, and a brother, Bill Gerring of Elkhart. He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Aleigha Thompson.
Kim graduated in 1971 from Elkhart High School. He enjoyed golfing and loved music and in his younger years was a drummer.
He was an active member of Horizon Ministries in Bremen, Ind. Kim was an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. After a trip to the West Coast in the early ’70s, he came back with a plan to build custom vans. The first van shops called Headrest and Streaker were the two main conversion lines. Gerring was responsible for creating an industry that blossomed over the next 25 years. It was all one man’s dream and vision. He also was the driving force behind Gerring Industries, Tech Trans and Gerwin, all of which were van conversion companies. Gerring also worked for Tierra in the mid-1990s.
Memorial contributions may be given to Horizon Ministries, 202 N. Center St., Bremen, IN 46506.