Thomas Gatson

Red Gatson, age 57, a resident of Brookfield, Missouri passed away at his sister's home, Chillicothe, Missouri on Friday, March 5, 2010. He was born on April 18, 1952 in Livingston County, Missouri the son of C.R. "Buck" and Mary M. (Dorney) Gatson. He was a 1970 graduate of Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe, Missouri. He served in the United States Army as a Buck Seargent from 1970 until 1972 where he was stationed in Vietnam for 9 months. He attended Kansas University, Baker University, and Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Missouri where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Education (History). He lived in Chillicothe, Missouri his entire life until he moved to Brookfield, Missouri in 1980. He was teacher in Brookfield, Missouri, then the General Manager of Pepsi Co. in Brookfield, Missouri for 20 years, then became a teacher and coach in Chillicothe, Missouri. Red loved to play golf. He was a member of the Brookfield Elks Lodge No. 8748 in Brookfield, Missouri, Brookfield Country Club, American Legion District Commissioner, and coached the Vern R. Glick American Legion Post 25 baseball team. He was survived by one son, Ben Gatson of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter, Christy Stockman and husband Stephen of Princeton, Missouri; three brothers, Larry Gatson of Chillicothe, Missouri, Tim Gatson and wife Gwen of Chillicothe, Missouri, John Gatson and wife Brenda of Chillicothe, Missouri; four sisters, Cecelia Grindel and husband Mike of Atlanta, Georgia, Anne Rutherford and husband John of Tampa, Florida, Margaret Maggard and husband Mitch of Dayton, Ohio, Theresa Kelly and husband Jack of Chillicothe, Missouri; one aunt, Elizabeth Venable of Chillicothe, Missouri;two grandchildren, Summer Gatson of Kansas City, Missouri, Kaydence Stockman of Princeton, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one niece, Cheri Rutherford, and his grandparents. Services will be held on Monday, March 8, 2010 at St. Columban's Catholic Church in Chillicothe, Missouri at 10:00 a.m. There will be a family visitation on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Wright Baker Hill Funeral Home in Brookfield, Missouri. Friends may call on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Lindley Funeral Home in Chillicothe, Missouri and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Wright Baker Hill in Brookfield, Missouri. Burial will be in St. Columban's Catholic Cemetery in Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and may be left at the funeral home or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, PO Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.