Steven Junior Gatton
November 14, 1948 ~ October 30, 2023 (age 74) 74 Years Old
Steven Gatton Life Story
Steven Junior Gatton of Longview, Texas was born on November 14, 1948 in Russell, Kansas to Louden Junior Gatton and Zella Mae Parker. He died October 30, 2023, in Longview, Texas. He married the love of his life, Pamela Rae Hudson, on July 26, 1980 in McPherson, Kansas. When asked about his wife while in ICU, Steve said "Pam is a looker and makes my heart go pitter patter," to which the nurse replied, "You old dog you!"
Steve's passions were trains, bicycling, bird watching, hunting and shooting, football, history, his children and grandchildren. His family described him as "Father Christmas" because of his love for all things that glitter and shine, illuminating his holiday spirit.
Steve was a strong man of faith who felt called to Christian Higher Education. He had a servant's heart, wanting to help students succeed. While in the ICU he asked each of his family members to tell him they believed in Jesus.
Steve graduated high school from Russell, Kansas. Completed a Bachelor of Science in History from Washburn University and a Masters in Education in Student Personnel Services at Emporia State University . He began his career in Career Services at Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas in 1974. He moved his family to Longview in 1987 to work for LeTourneau University as Director of Career Services, retiring in June 2014.
Steve is survived by his wife, Pam Gatton; son Shawn Gatton and wife, Samantha, children Maggie and Reid, of Honolulu, HI; daughter Heather Tikhonoff and husband, Justin, children Hudson and Blakely of Allen, TX; daughter Holly Gatton of Dallas, TX; brother Lee Gatton and wife Beverly of Overland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Lila Abercrombie.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Welch Funeral Home. Burial will be at Cross Plains Cemetery, Russell County Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas or Central Christian College, McPherson, Kansas.
Steve's passions were trains, bicycling, bird watching, hunting and shooting, football, history, his children and grandchildren. His family described him as "Father Christmas" because of his love for all things that glitter and shine, illuminating his holiday spirit.
Steve was a strong man of faith who felt called to Christian Higher Education. He had a servant's heart, wanting to help students succeed. While in the ICU he asked each of his family members to tell him they believed in Jesus.
Steve graduated high school from Russell, Kansas. Completed a Bachelor of Science in History from Washburn University and a Masters in Education in Student Personnel Services at Emporia State University . He began his career in Career Services at Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas in 1974. He moved his family to Longview in 1987 to work for LeTourneau University as Director of Career Services, retiring in June 2014.
Steve is survived by his wife, Pam Gatton; son Shawn Gatton and wife, Samantha, children Maggie and Reid, of Honolulu, HI; daughter Heather Tikhonoff and husband, Justin, children Hudson and Blakely of Allen, TX; daughter Holly Gatton of Dallas, TX; brother Lee Gatton and wife Beverly of Overland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Lila Abercrombie.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Welch Funeral Home. Burial will be at Cross Plains Cemetery, Russell County Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas or Central Christian College, McPherson, Kansas.
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