Bonham -- Friends of Leonard Gerner, along with former colleagues and students, will want to be in the Bonham High School gym Tuesday night, January 17. Following the girls game against Van Alstyne, a ceremony will officially dedicate the gym as Leonard A. Gerner Gymnasium.
Known to several generations of Fannin County students as Coach Gerner, the former instructor pilot turned educator will receive a plaque commemorating his 27 years of service to Bonham ISD. Prior to that, Mr. Gerner was a teacher, principal and coach at Ector ISD for a decade. For countless students, Coach Gerner taught, in large part by example, the virtues of a healthy lifestyle and daily exercise.
Gerner first arrived in Bonham to instruct Army Air Force pilot trainees at Jones Field from 1943 to 1944 and would go on to fly B-25s until the conclusion of WWII. In 1964 he married Marie Katheryne Henry.
The couple has been honored with several awards, including Fannin County Senior Citizens of the Year in 2000, Fannin County Fair Parade Grand Marshals (2000) and Co-Citizens of the Year in 2004.
Longtime members of United Methodist Church in Bonham, the Gerners helped serve Thanksgiving dinner for two decades at the church.
A member of Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame, Gerner is also a member of Doane College Hall of Fame where the versatile athlete played fullback and middle linebacker for the football team, directed the offense as a point guard for the basketball team, in addition to being a two-time conference champion throwing the javeline.
Leonard Gerner, surrounded by the 1978 Bonham High School UIL State Champion track team.