Obituary
Wayne R. Gervais, 68, of Des Moines, IA, with his daughters by his side, passed away on Friday,
November 17, 2023, at Trinity Center Luther Park after a period of physical and mental decline as a
result of his dementia. His Military Honor Service will be Iowa Veteran's Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa
on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Known by all as Randy, he also went by a nickname in his early adult years that only his closest friends
(and some family) knew. We will just keep that to ourselves, but if you know, you know. For those of you
who knew, you just said it aloud and it put a smile on your face remembering his big goofy smile.
Randy was born in Des Moines on February 10, 1955, to Ernest and B. Ruth (Van Blaricum) Gervais. He
attended East High School. At the age of 17, Randy joined the Air Force and subsequently spent time in
the Iowa Army National Guard as a MP.
For the bulk of his life, he was an over-the-road truck driver. He loved driving as it afforded him an
opportunity to see all parts of the country many times over, documenting his travel with many photos.
When the girls were growing up, he loved playing dice, cribbage and listening to Wolfman Jack and the
oldies.
Randy is survived by his brother, Phillip Gervais; daughters, Melissa (Kyle) McGriff and Erika Eckstein;
and grandchildren Nicholas, Hunter, Kaitlyn, and Jordon.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents; siblings Margaret Frier and Gary Gervais; grandson
Brandon, and several close friends he considered as brothers.
Randy was cremated and will be laid to rest at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA on a date
later to be determined in spring of 2024. There will be a short military honor service held at that time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org
November 17, 2023, at Trinity Center Luther Park after a period of physical and mental decline as a
result of his dementia. His Military Honor Service will be Iowa Veteran's Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa
on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Known by all as Randy, he also went by a nickname in his early adult years that only his closest friends
(and some family) knew. We will just keep that to ourselves, but if you know, you know. For those of you
who knew, you just said it aloud and it put a smile on your face remembering his big goofy smile.
Randy was born in Des Moines on February 10, 1955, to Ernest and B. Ruth (Van Blaricum) Gervais. He
attended East High School. At the age of 17, Randy joined the Air Force and subsequently spent time in
the Iowa Army National Guard as a MP.
For the bulk of his life, he was an over-the-road truck driver. He loved driving as it afforded him an
opportunity to see all parts of the country many times over, documenting his travel with many photos.
When the girls were growing up, he loved playing dice, cribbage and listening to Wolfman Jack and the
oldies.
Randy is survived by his brother, Phillip Gervais; daughters, Melissa (Kyle) McGriff and Erika Eckstein;
and grandchildren Nicholas, Hunter, Kaitlyn, and Jordon.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents; siblings Margaret Frier and Gary Gervais; grandson
Brandon, and several close friends he considered as brothers.
Randy was cremated and will be laid to rest at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA on a date
later to be determined in spring of 2024. There will be a short military honor service held at that time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org
