Gerald Melvin Carder was born to Melvin and Bessie Cole Carder on April 24, 1943 in Topeka, KS. He grew up in north Topeka with a few early
years in Hutchinson, KS. In 1961 he graduated from Seaman High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Washburn University Topeka in 1965. In 1968 he received his Masters in Special Education from Emporia State University, being one of the first students with a degree with an emphasis on students with special instructional needs.

On June 3, 1978, Gerald was united in marriage to Elaine Shaw Carder in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church in Topeka, KS. They each brought one child to this union.

Gerald was a member of First Presbyterian Church and remained an active member serving as Elder and Clerk of Session, chef in charge of menu and men cheffing special dinners at church, and choir member, for many years. Gerald was also an active member of LARSPA, the Leavenworth Area Retired School Personnel Association where he served as president at two different times. He also attended and photographed the KARSP state convention many years. He served on the KARSP Foundation Board, whose purpose was to award grants to teachers to improve and enrich opportunities for students in Kansas.

Gerald started a Gourmet Cooking Group with three other couples, that met 34 times. The couples took turns planning and hosting a themed dinner with each member cooking a recipe for each meal. A highlight in his life was when one of those couples joined he and Elaine for a week in a cooking school in Tuscany, Italy. Upon his retirement he began a personal chef business, Pamper Your Palate, expanding his cooking hobby. He cooked in Leavenworth residents' homes for their daily meals or dinner parties. He was also a barista for Barista's Daily Grind.

Gerald's vocational pursuits began as a teacher and cottage parent at the State Industrial School for Boys in Topeka. In 1969 he went to the KS State Department in Special Education Administration, where he served for fourteen years. In 1983 he became director of Special Education in what was then the six district co-op in Leavenworth County.

The family moved to Leavenworth, KS where he retired in 2000. As family and friends reflect on Gerald's life there will be much to remember him by. Those who knew him during his early years will remember he had polio at the age of five and was in an iron lung. As an adult he enjoyed volunteer police work in Topeka. While at the State Dept. he worked with school districts all over Kansas. In the six district Leavenworth Co-op he began a school for students with emotional and behavioral challenges. Those of us who watched Gerald live his last years will always admire how much he showed appreciation for those tending to his physical, emotional, and spiritual needs as he continued the fight for a life of quality.
Between the Alpha and the Omega of Gerald's life one can recall a man full of diverse interests. Being an avid reader, a continuous student, and a lover of all things culinary, Gerald lived a full life. Using single words to describe some of Gerald's interests; he was a teacher, photographer, chef,
genealogist, traveler, motorcyclist, collector, and especially an enjoyer of people.

On July 31, 2022 after a fall and partial hip replacement surgery, Gerald's failing heart took its last beat. Gerald appreciated and was
encouraged by friends, family, and medical personnel, including therapists, who tended to his needs in the closing years.

Surviving Gerald in life are his wife, Elaine of Leavenworth,KS; a son, Gary (and Amy) Carder of Topeka, KS; a daughter, Nicole (and Peter)
Doddema of Frankfort, KY; and two grandchildren, Roman Doddema and Kyia Jenson.
Preceding Gerald in death were his parents and sister, Donna Borchardt of Texas.

May the memories which Gerald has left to each person who knew him now bring daily encouragement and strength for the journey which each must continue in faith.

You are invited to attend a Celebration of Gerald's Life at the First Presbyterian Church in Leavenworth, KS, Saturday, October 15, with a 10:00
a.m. Visitation and 11:00 a.m. Service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to First Presbyterian Church or the KARSP Foundation for Kansas teacher grants.