Frank Delano Gatton

Frank Delano Gatton was born on September 10, 1932 at Harmony, Iredell County, NC. He was the youngest child of the late Thomas Lee and Freddie Cornelia (nee Moore) Gatton. He was predeceased by brothers James W. Gatton, T. Harry Gatton, and Clyde F. Gilmore and sister Marie Gatton Myers.

After graduating in 1949 from Harmony High School, Harmony, NC, Frank began work in 1950 at the J.C. Penney Warehouse in Statesville, NC. On November 29, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart Joanne Wilson. From 1954-1956, he served in the U.S. Army at Camp Gordon (now Fort Gordon), Augusta, Georgia, where he was an instructor in cryptography. Later, he graduated from Mitchell College (now Mitchell Community College), Statesville, NC, and Lenoir Rhyne College (now University), Hickory, NC. After graduation, he joined REA Express and held various management positions in McComb, MS; Knoxville, TN; Charleston, SC; Washington, DC; and Greensboro, NC.

In 1967, he joined the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, Archives, and History in Raleigh, NC. While working in Raleigh, he also earned masters degrees from N. C. State University in history and public administration. Upon retirement in 1994, he was awarded the state’s highest honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He was a member of numerous professional organizations, receiving recognitions from many of them.

Frank was a past member and Past Master of Charles B. Newcomb #740 Masonic Lodge. He was a charter member and Past Master of Masters Lodge #754 where he was awarded a life membership. He was a member of Scottish Rite and a charter member of Amran Temple Shrine.

Frank was a kind, gentle soul with a pure heart of gold and a genuine smile. He had a positive attitude and was always happy, dependable, generous, and giving. His sense of humor and lack of pretense constantly put people around him at ease. His thirst for knowledge was an inspiration to his children, grandchildren, other family members, friends, and colleagues. Service to and care of others came naturally to him as he practiced his Christian faith. Most of all, Frank loved his family and friends. His twinkling blue eyes and warm smile will long be remembered by all those who knew and loved him.

Frank’s health had been declining for several years due largely to complications brought on by Lewy Body Dementia. He moved to Morningside Assisted Living of Raleigh in July 2012, with hospice care for the last 16 months of his life. He passed away with his wife by his side at Morningside on February 5, 2014.

He is survived by Joanne Wilson Gatton, his loving wife of 61 years; daughter Deborah “Jan” Gatton Kalmus and husband Robert, their daughter Natalie Joanne, and granddaughter Audriana Lisa Hartman, all of Crofton, MD; son Steven Frank Gatton and wife Brenda of Statesville, NC; son John Ashley Gatton and wife Ouita of Raleigh, his daughters Chloé Zan of Wilmington, NC, and Lily Rose of Mission Viejo, CA; son Kevin Lee Gatton and wife Stephanie, their son Conor James and daughter Kellen Marie, all of Mount Pleasant, SC. In addition, he is survived by his brother Clarence E. Gatton and wife Donna of Falls Church, VA and sister-in-law Mary G. (Mrs. T. Harry) Gatton of Raleigh. Also surviving are step-granddaughter Melanie Hughes and husband Hal and children Amelia Grondin and Keaton and Elli Hughes, all of Holly Springs, NC. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins also survive.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608 with visitation to follow. A graveside service will be conducted on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Holly Springs Baptist Church, Hamptonville Road, Harmony, NC 28634 with visitation to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or to the NC Masonic Foundation at P.O. Box 6506, Raleigh, NC 27628.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.