Fallen Hero: MAJ/CW4(Ret) Gerald S. Massengale, Sr.

Hattiesburg, MS


Funeral Home

Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home

205 Bay Street Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Visitation

10:00 AM Wednesday at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home

Service

Interment will be in Highland Cemetery


Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. 

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on Dec. 17, 2021, and moved on to his heavenly home. MAJ/CW4(Ret) Gerald S. Massengale, Sr., age 84, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard who had served within the active Army as a Major and later was a full-time employee at MATES, Cp Shelby and member of the 114th Area Support Group, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life.  We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed:  “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service.  We thank you for your service.  Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done.  Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Obituary, visitation and service details:

Services will be held at 11:30 AM Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home Chapel for Mr. Gerald Stanford “Jerry” Massengale, Sr., 84, of Hattiesburg, MS. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton, Dean of the Chapel and Director of Church Relations at Millsaps College and lifelong friend of the Massengale family.  He died Friday, December 17, 2021.  Interment will be in Highland Cemetery with military rites performed by the V.F.W. Post 3036 Honor Guard.

Mr. Massengale was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign War (V.F.W.). He was a lifetime resident of Hattiesburg. After graduating from Hattiesburg High School, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi, and later joined the United States Military where he served as a Major in the Army until 1971.After his active military service, he returned to Hattiesburg and continued his service to his country in the full-time National Guard at Camp Shelby and working at MATES and the MS Army National Guard 114th ASG until his retirement in 1997.

His service included a tour in Vietnam from 1966-1967 in the 1st Air Calvary Division. During his service he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and two oversea Service Medals.

He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He shared his love for sports by coaching numerous children in the local leagues over the years.

Mr. Massengale was preceded in death by his parents, William Kermit and Dora Jackson Massengale; his wife, Jerry Mae Herring Massengale; one son, Gerald Stanford “Stan” Massengale, Jr.; four brothers, Marvin Massengale, Francis “Feller” Massengale, William K. “Bubby Massengale, and Fred L. “Pop” Massengale.

He is survived by his son, Hugh William “Hoss” Massengale (Sheila) of Hattiesburg, MS; his daughter-in-law, Sandra Massengale (Rob) of Tampa, FL; two granddaughters, Sydney Massengale Papas (Steven) of Chapel Hill, NC and Amanda Massengale of Tampa, FL; one grandson, William Chandler Massengale (Taylor) of Natchez, MS, and one great-granddaughter, Charleston Ann Papas.

In lieu of flowers, honorariums may be sent to the USM Athletic Foundation Stan Massengale Scholarship Fund or the U.S. Military Veteran cause of your choice.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM Wednesday at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home.