Robert Woodward Gaston III

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 Bobby Gaston passed from this life on January 20, 2025, at 4:43 pm. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was born January 2, 1938, in New Orleans and has lived in Baton Rouge since 1945. He is survived by his wife, Suzan Naquin Gaston; five daughters, Debbie Gaston Roth Noonan (Joe) of Alpharetta, GA, Cathy Gaston Gravois (Kevin), Laurie Jane Gaston, Stacey Gaston Nicchio (M.J.) of Austin, TX, and Jamie Liner Gaston McNease (Kyle) of Panama City, FL. He is also survived by two foster children, Gypsy van Wijk Nix (Michael) of Collierville, TN, and James Andrew Belcher (Jenny) of Walker, LA. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren; Morgan and Chandler Roth; Paul (Kelsey), Kelly and Mark (Michelle) Gravois; Grayson, Miles and Peyton Nicchio; Ashe and Annika van Wijk; Gage and Charisma Belcher; Mary Claire and Margaret Grace McNease, and two great-grandchildren Nora and Joseph Gravois. He was preceded in death by his sister, Conway Gaston Hubbard (John) of Atlanta, GA; his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Robert W. Gaston, Jr. He was an educator, teaching and coaching before becoming an administrator at various levels of education, ending up as Deputy Superintendent for Education for the State of Louisiana. After leaving education, he served in various administrative positions for the city-parish of East Baton Rouge for 20 plus years, including Chief Administrative Officer for the Mayor's office and Chief Administrative Officer of the District Attorney's Office. At his time of death, he was employed by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office. Bobby was a member of over 65 boards, commissions, and organizations, including the Chapel on the Campus, Southern University Board of Supervisors, East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority, Board of Directors for the Louisiana School, and the Baton Rouge Country Club. Honorary pallbearers are Hank Henagan, Claude Pennington, Tom Ed McHugh, Crews LeBlanc, and Tullis McKnight. Additional honorary pallbearers are the Wednesday lunch bunch and members of the 1966 state champion football team at Broadmoor High School. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Cajun Navy at www.unitedcajunnavy.org. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, February 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm with visitation starting at 10:00 am. A reception will be held in the church hall following Mass.