A Funeral Mass for Monsignor Gerald Alan Priest, 79, of Crockett will be held on Monday, August 5, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler with Bishop Joseph E. Strickland as the principal celebrant. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery at 5 p.m. in Texarkana, Texas under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.
Msgr. Priest passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in Crockett, Texas. He was born December 30, 1939, in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Ben and Ruth Priest. He was ordained a priest on June 1, 1968, and was named a Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor by Pope John Paul II on January 22, 1996.
He served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Marshall, Texas (1878-1992), St. Anthony Parish in Longview, Texas (1992-1993), and Sacred Heart Parish in Texarkana, Texas (1993-2010). He also served as parochial administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish (Jefferson, Texas), St. William of Vercelli Parish (Carthage, Texas), St. Catherine of Siena Parish (Atlanta, Texas), and he was the founding priest of St. Lawrence of Brindisi Mission (Waskom, Texas). He proudly served as chaplain of several law enforcement agencies and helped organize the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
Msgr. Priest was preceded in death by his parents.He is survived by his loving family including his sister Bunny Nance; nieces, Dawn Nance Cosgrove, Bridgitte Krupke; and nephew, Lt. Col. Chris Nance.
Pallbearers will be the Knights of Columbus and the priests of the Diocese of Tyler.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2019, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler. The Office for the Dead and Rosary will follow the visitation at 6 p.m.
If desired, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
