Gerald “Jerry” Michael Coupel, age 76, a resident of Covington, passed into eternal rest, May 17, 2026, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Jerry was a man of deep devotion to Christ and found comfort and joy in prayer and scripture, and peace in the promises of eternal life. 

Jerry was the beloved husband of Annelle Coupel for 47 years, the loving father of Fred Schmidt (deceased), Christian Schmidt (Jacqueline), David Schmidt, Noelle Brown (Jonathan), the proud grandfather of Victoria Schmidt Holmes (Alex), Cody Schmidt (Megan), Tyler Schmidt (deceased), Zachary Schmidt, Justin Schmidt (Stephanie), and Elizabeth Schmidt, and the proud and adoring great-grandfather “Paw Paw Jerry” to Cade, Presley, Chandler, and Sommer Schmidt. He is also survived by his brother, Ronald Coupel, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Jacqueline and Lester Coupel, his son, Fred Schmidt and his grandson, Tyler Schmidt. 

Jerry, born February 21, 1950, was a graduate of East Jefferson High School in Metairie and after 25 years working in the air freight business at MSY Airport, he returned to Delgado Community College and earned a degree in Information Technology, all while still holding down his 40 hour a week job and maintaining his place on the honor roll every semester. After attaining his degree, he began a career with AT&T as an electronic technician. He continued there until his retirement in 2019. 

A man of numerous talents, Jerry could be seen rebuilding car engines or cutting two wrecked cars in half and welding them together in his backyard and garage. He loved driving flashy fast sports cars, watching old movies, building computers, and just sitting down with a bowl of ice cream in the evening. 

After retirement, he wanted to pursue a new hobby so he learned how to cook, developing gourmet meals with a large array of spices and ingredients and then compiled his cookbook for family and close friends. 

The family would like to sincerely thank his cardiologist Dr. Ali Amkieh and Primary Care Physician NP Glenda Petroff and their office staff for the kind, compassionate, and gentle care of our loved one. Special thanks to St. Tammany Palliative Care and Kathy Howard, and the St. Tammany Hospice In-patient Care Team. 

Services will be held on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026, and are private per Jerry's request.