Norman Allen Gatlin

A Life Celebration service for Norman Allen Gatlin of Diana, Texas, will be held in The Chapel of Welch Funeral Home on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at ten o’clock in the morning. The family will receive friends in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home from six to eight o’clock in the evening, Friday, January 18, 2019.
The service will be conducted by the Rev. Tracy Williams and the Rev. Craig Evers. One of Mr. Gatlin’s favorite hymns, “How Great Thou Art,” will be presented by Mark Griffin. Another favorite of his, “Amazing Grace,” will also be shared.
Mr. Gatlin was born to Nathan Andrew and Betty Sue Allen Gatlin on October 5, 1935, in Harleton, Texas and died in his sleep at home on Saturday night January 12, 2019. He spent his childhood growing up with his brother, Rex Andrew Gatlin, and the family in Jefferson, Texas.
He was a member of County Line Baptist Church and attended services there with his family for many years. He served his church in various capacities: Deacon, Board of Trustees for the Bylaws of the Cemetery Association, Music Director oftentimes, Sunday school teacher for many years, and strong supporter of his pastors and members as well as other people in the community.
Mr. Gatlin attended Jefferson Independent School District and Kilgore College. He served in the U. S. Army for two years and later was called to serve again during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He was very athletic in all sports when he was in high school. That is how he met his wife, Ruth, when their schools competed with each other in sports. Norman and Ruth married in 1958, and five years later they welcomed their oldest son, Chipper Norman. Two years later they added their second son, Skipper Allen, to their family.
Norman was a welder by trade but his true passion was roping and working with horses. Norman enjoyed participating in rodeos on the weekends and vacations. The family traveled all over the United States for him to compete in the rodeos. He won many saddles, trophies, belt buckles, and other prizes. In the year 2000, he was named the USTRC Champion Header and won not only the financial prize but a new trailer as well. He was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and at the Gladewater Roundup Rodeo, he was presented with gold spurs for his many years of support. His job as a welder afforded him the opportunity to travel oversees and see the world.
Mr. Gatlin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth M. Gatlin; and his younger son, Skipper Allen Gatlin.
He is survived by his eldest son, Chip Gatlin, and his wife, Dyanne, of Diana; his granddaughter, Brooke Wesson and her husband, Nick, of Longview; granddaughterm, Lauren Hardin and her husband, Dustin, of Diana; grandson, Sloan Adam Gatlin of Waller; great grandson, Spencer Allen Gatlin, of Waller; great grand daughter, Haegan Grace Hardin, of Diana; his grandson, Louis Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews, all who were very dear to him.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family request with gratitude that memorial contributions be made to County Line Baptist Church.