Donald Samuel Gerhart

Donald Samuel Gerhart, 94 of Radiant, Va., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Dogwood Village in Orange, Va. He was born on October 23, 1932, to the late Samuel Edgar Gerhart and Jeanette Hummel Gerhart. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Jean Jenkins Gerhart; his sister, Bobbi Gray; his brother-in-law, Waller Jenkins; and daughter-in-law, Donna Gerhart.

He is survived by his sister Dottie Mason, sister-in-law Lois Jenkins, sons, Michael Gerhart and wife Karen, Kenneth Gerhart, Jeffrey Gerhart and wife Susan; grandchildren, Kristie Gerhart (Adrian Koshy - husband), Adam Gerhart, Scott Gerhart, Courtney Gerhart, Coleman Gerhart, Samuel Gerhart (Lauren - wife), Elizabeth Gerhart, Emily Gerhart; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Abigail, Carter, Nova, Grady, and Ella; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was a 1954 graduate of Dickenson College with a bachelor's degree in history and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity for 75 years.

He married the love of his life Pat Jenkins in July 1954. They were married for 62 blessed years before Pat died of Alzheimer’s in 2016.

He was an Army veteran serving in Germany for 2 years from 1954 to 1956.

Don worked for Allied Van Lines in Danville, VA, and then for US Gypsum & Old Dominion in Culpeper. He also worked at Rappahannock Electric Co-Op as Safety Director for the last 20 years of his career.

He was a member of the Jaycee’s for many years in his 20’s and 30’s. Don became President of the Danville, VA chapter earning many awards becoming a Lifetime member.

While living in Madison County Don was an active member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (now Mt Zion Community Church) in Oak Park.

He also became president of the Madison Habitat for Humanity and the Burnt Tree Grange in Radiant, VA.

He was an active bell ringer for the Salvation Army during the Christmas holidays and loved to decorate his home for the holidays.

After Pat passed, Don took up singing and became the “Singing Grandpa” singing at churches, nursing homes and even Culpeper’s Got Talent. He loved singing at local Open Mic events around the area and even traveled great distances to sing at the National Grange Conventions.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 21, 2026, from 11am to 2pm at Renback Barn at 8668 South Blue Ridge Turnpike, Rochelle, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to www.mtzioncommunitychurch.com.

Preddy Funeral Home of Madison is handling arrangments.