Dr. Jerry Gee, 65, distinguished service professor of education, died Tuesday morning at M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston after a battle with cancer.

“How can you describe probably the kindest man anybody could ever know?” Dr. O. Cleveland Hill, dean of the college of education, said.

“He was a kind, kind, good man. He’d go out of his way to help anybody, any student,” he said.

Hill remembered Gee’s professionalism.

“When I applied for the position of dean of education in 1999, he had applied also.

“Several other people had applied.

“He came to me and said, `I’ve applied for this position, and I know you’ve applied for it. If I don’t get it, I want you to know I will support you 100 percent all the way.'”

Hill said Gee told him he would not say one harsh thing about not getting the position.

“I think that’s class all the way,” Hill said.

Gee joined the Nicholls staff in 1966 and came to know Hill soon after his arrival as a student in 1968.

“People don’t know it, but Dr. Gee used to be the band director, and he also taught music appreciation. He taught me,” Hill said.

“And, of course, when I was on the basketball team, the band would play at the games, and he would direct.”

Gee is survived by his wife, Mary, and four children, Dr. Jerry Gee II, Michael Gee, Dr. Jason Gee and Andrea Mills.

Hill said Gee’s influence was far-reaching.

“You could talk to principals, teachers, people throughout this area who have had him as an instructor. They will all say the same thing,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough to replace him. You can’t ever replace him. This college of education is going to be in a lull for awhile.

“It will never be the same without him.”