The Mid-America Union Conference education team is saddened to share news of the passing of Gerard “Gerry” Ban, former associate director of education for the Mid-America Union Conference. Gerry passed away on December 13, 2025, in Harrison, Tennessee. His passing comes close after the loss of his longtime colleague, LouAnn Howard, and is heartbreaking to those who served alongside both.
Gerry served as associate director of education for the Mid-America Union Conference from 2016 to 2023, working closely with the union education team in support of Adventist schools across the territory. He retired on December 31, 2023, concluding nearly 35 years of service in Adventist education.
During his time at MAUC, Gerry supported principals, superintendents, teachers and schools, drawing on his expertise and experience in curriculum, instruction and administration. His service reflected a consistent commitment to Adventist education and to the educators he worked with throughout his career. Gerry was widely respected for his strong leadership, team-building abilities, organizational skill and commitment to helping principals and superintendents create safe, nurturing and spiritually grounded learning environments for teachers and students alike.
Jeremy Everhart, principal at Maplewood Academy, shared how Gerry’s leadership made a personal impact on him:
“As a new principal at Maplewood Academy, I was deeply blessed by Gerry Ban’s leadership. He carried a rare balance of kindness, steady support, and the firmness needed to navigate challenging times. His guidance shaped me, and his commitment to our mission strengthened all of us. He will be dearly missed. I hold hope in the promise of Christ’s second coming, when we will see him risen again.”
Jodi Dossenko, who served alongside Gerry at the Dakota Conference, reflected:
“Gerry and I began our work at the Dakota Conference office at the same time, and I had the privilege of serving as his education secretary. I always appreciated his philosophy of education and his thoughtful, Christ-centered approach to learning. Gerry was a wonderful boss, mentor, and friend, and I will miss him deeply.”
Raised in Southern California, Gerry spent most of his K–12 years in Seventh-day Adventist elementary and academy schools, with a brief time in public high school. That experience helped shape his conviction that Adventist education plays a vital role in nurturing young people academically, spiritually, and socially—a belief that guided his professional life.
Gerry earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education from La Sierra University in 1979 and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Atlantic Union College in 2004. Over the years, his service included roles as superintendent and principal with the Dakota Conference and Dakota Adventist Academy; principal of Adventist Christian Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina; teacher and athletic director at Browning Elementary School/South Lancaster Academy; teaching principal at Meadowbrook Adventist Elementary School; principal and team teacher at Warren Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School – all in Massachusetts; and vice principal, teacher and athletic director at Pine Tree Academy in Maine. He also taught at several other Adventist schools across the country.
Gary Thurber, president of the Mid-America Union Conference, shared,
“Gerry Ban was not only one of the best educators in our church, he was also one of the finest human beings as well. Gerry had a wonderful sense of humor, was a great teacher and administrator, but most of all, he loved the Lord and his family. He will be greatly missed.”
Gerry is survived by his wife of 42 years, Martha Aastrup Ban; their daughter, Kaitlynn Ban (Devin Heilman); their son, Christopher Ban; sisters-in-law Rondi Aastrup (Tom Reynolds) and Lauren Aastrup Rittenhouse (Jerry); six nephews; two nieces; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Grounded in his faith in Jesus Christ, Gerry lived with the assurance of the blessed hope. Scripture reminds us, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). His life and service point forward to that promise.
The Mid-America Union Conference extends its condolences to Gerry’s family and loved ones as they grieve this loss.
A private family service is being planned for next spring in Massachusetts.
