Willard Gerald Quick

With great sadness, we share the passing of Willard Gerald Quick, age 81, of Brentwood, Tennessee. Gerald peacefully entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, following a short battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver.

Gerald was born August 28, 1944, in Cheraw, South Carolina, to Reese and Ruth (McConnell) Quick. Even as a young man, it was clear that Gerald possessed an uncommon intellect, a remarkable work ethic, and a natural ability to figure out just about anything. He graduated as valedictorian from Wallace High School in 1962, where, remarkably, he drove the school bus beginning at age 14 and even taught his own math class while still a student himself.

Gerald went on to attend Trevecca Nazarene University, graduating in 1968. While Trevecca helped prepare him for a successful career, its greatest contribution to his life was introducing him to his sweetheart, Kay Frey. Gerald and Kay were married for 58 years and built a life together centered on faith, family, generosity, and service until her passing in August 2024.

Gerald's professional life reflected the same curiosity and ingenuity that had defined him from an early age. While at Trevecca, he taught himself computer programming by renting computer time after hours from the bank where he worked during the day. He later helped the bank develop software for its first ATM at a time when most people had never heard of either computer programming or an ATM.

During the 1970s, Gerald served his country as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Stationed in Thule, Greenland, he worked as an Air Traffic Controller before receiving an honorable discharge. He later founded his own business, developing computer software used by colleges and universities, government agencies, and major corporations.

For all Gerald accomplished professionally, however, those who knew him best will remember him less for what he achieved than for how he lived.

Gerald was quiet and humble by nature, deeply principled, steadfast in his Christian faith, and extraordinarily generous. He was also the person you called when something was broken. Whether the problem involved a computer, a leaky faucet, an electrical issue, a stubborn appliance, or a piece of custom woodwork that did not yet exist, Gerald could usually figure it out. And if he couldn't, he would quietly keep working until he did. He had little interest in drawing attention to himself and even less interest in paying someone else to fix something he was fairly certain he could repair himself.

Gerald came from humble beginnings and achieved tremendous professional success, but success never changed the way he lived. The only truly extravagant thing about Gerald was his generosity.

He gave freely of his time, his talent, and his resources, often quietly and without recognition. He faithfully supported his church and Trevecca Nazarene University and helped countless students pursue a Christian higher education. Much of what Gerald did for others was known only to those he helped, and that was exactly the way he preferred it. For him, generosity was not something to be celebrated publicly; it was simply part of living faithfully.

Above all, Gerald loved his family. He is survived by his children, Jeremy (Michelle) Quick and Angie (Ryan) Harris; his five cherished granddaughters, Jenna Quick, Lily Quick, Avery Harris, Hayden Harris, and Evyn Harris; his siblings, Carolyn Minton, Linda Thompson, Reese Quick, and Sharon Powers; a loving family of in-laws; many nieces and nephews; and countless dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reese and Ruth (McConnell) Quick; his brother, Mitchell Quick; and the love of his life, Kay (Frey) Quick.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, August 31, at 10:00 a.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 510 Woodland Street, Nashville, Tennessee, with Dr. Dan Boone officiating. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home in Brentwood, Tennessee, is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Quick Family Scholarship Fund at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. These gifts will continue Gerald's legacy by helping students pursue the kind of Christ-centered education he valued so deeply. It is a fitting tribute to a man who believed that what we have is best used in service to others.

Gerald lived his faith without fanfare. He loved deeply, gave generously, worked diligently, and served quietly. He leaves behind a family who adored him, countless lives made better by his kindness, and probably more than a few things around their homes that are still working because Gerald fixed them.

We grieve his absence deeply, but we do not grieve as those without hope. Because of Gerald's faith in Jesus Christ and the promise of the resurrection, we trust that death does not have the final word. We find comfort in knowing that Gerald has entered the heavenly home for which he lived his life preparing—and we look forward with hope to the day when we will be together again.