Gaston L. Booker

Gaston Booker was born in St. Louis, MO on February 10, 1922 to Lucius booker and Florence E. (Baker) Booker.

He married Lois Walker in St. Louis, MO. From this union four children were born, Fredric, Gaston, Levi, and Florence Booker Johnson. He was predeceased by his mother, Florence Booker; father, Lucius Booker; sister, Thelma Booker Thompson; and one son, Gaston Booker.

Fredric resides in Los Angeles, CA; Levi in Mission Viejo, CA; and Florence in Granada Hills, CA. He was a loving grandfather to 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Eula Hastings of Pomeroy, WA and his brother-in-law, Alan Hastings of Buchanan Dam, TX.

Gaston left St. Louis in the early 1940’s to work in the defense industry. He joined the Department of Justice in 1968 and moved to San Francisco, CA where he met and married June. He was subsequently selected by the Drug Enforcement Administration and transferred to Chicago, IL. After working there for 9 years he was transferred to DEA Headquarters in Washington, DC. He retired from DEA in 1989. In 1991 he became executive director of the Association of Former Federal Narcotics Agents. He resigned the position in 1999 after undergoing surgery for cancer.

Gaston had two passions outside of work and family. He loved bowling and belonged to leagues in Los Angeles, CA, Bollingbrook, IL, and here in Columbia, MD. He also loved working on his computer and helping friends with computer related issues.

Gaston felt strongly that he should give something back to the community. He volunteered at the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center for several years. He was always available to help friends and family whenever possible.

His family will receive friends on Sunday, February 5 from 3-5 & 7-9PM at Witzke Funeral Homes, Inc.; 5555 Twin Knolls Road; Columbia, MD 21045. A funeral service will be celebrated 1PM, Monday, February 6 at Columbia Baptist Fellowship; 5885 Robert Oliver Place; Columbia, MD 21045. Interment Columbia Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Columbia Baptist Fellowship or the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center; 10710 Charter Drive; Columbia, MD 21044.