Red Gatson, 57, a resident of Brookfield, Mo., died Friday, March 5, 2010 at his sister’s home in Chillicothe, Mo.
He was born April 18, 1952 in Livingston County, Mo., the son of C.R. “Buck” and Mary M. (Dorney) Gatson.
He was a 1970 graduate of Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe, Mo. He served in the United States Army as a Buck Seargent from 1970 until 1972 where he was stationed in Vietnam for nine months. He attended Kansas University, Baker University, and Missouri Western, St. Joseph, Mo., where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education (history).
He lived in Chillicothe, Mo., his entire life until he moved to Brookfield, Mo., in 1980. He was a teacher in Brookfield, Mo., then the general manager of Pepsi Co. in Brookfield, Mo., for 20 years, then became a teacher and coach in Chillicothe, Mo.
Red enjoyed playing golf. He was a member of the Brookfield Elks Lodge No. 8748 in Brookfield, Mo., Brookfield Country Club, American Legion District Commissioner, and coached the Vern R. Glick American Legion Post 25 baseball team.
He is survived by one son, Ben Gatson, Kansas City, Mo.; one daughter, Christy Stockman and husband Stephen, Princeton, Mo.; three brothers, Larry Gatson, Chillicothe, Mo., Tim Gatson and wife Gwen, Chillicothe, Mo., John Gatson and wife Brenda, Chillicothe, Mo.; four sisters, Cecilia Grindel and husband Mike, Atlanta, Ga., Anne Rutherford and husband John, Tampa, Fla., Margaret Maggard and husband Mitch, Dayton, Ohio, Theresa Kelly and husband Jack, Chillicothe, Mo.; one aunt, Elizabeth Venable, Chillicothe, Mo.; two grandchildren, Summer Gatson, Kansas City, Mo., Kaydence Stockman, Princeton, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one niece, Sheri Rutherford; and his grandparents.
Services will be held Monday, March 8, 2010 at St. Columban’s Catholic Church, Chillicothe, Mo., at 10 a.m. There will be a family visitaton on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, Brookfield, Mo. Friends may call on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Mo., and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, Brookfield, Mo. Burial will be in St. Columban’s Catholic Cemetery, Chillicothe, Mo.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Mo.
