Dwight D. "Gabby" Gavin

BOSSIER CITY, LA – Graveside services celebrating the life of Dwight Delano Gavin will be held at 10:00 am. On Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Hill Crest Memorial Park with Pastor Richard Wells officiating. Visitation will held on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home.

Dwight was born in La Crosse, WI on May 15, 1932 and passed away on July 4, 2017 in Shreveport, LA. He joined the Air Force soon after graduation and served his country for over 20 years. He was a Korean War Veteran and also did a tour in Vietnam. He began a second career after his military retirement and worked as a maintenance supervisor.

To him, his wife was everything. He enjoyed time spent with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A simple and direct man, he could also be pretty stubborn (some might even say “pig-headed”) at times. He was always right (even when he wasn’t) but would never say “I told you so”. He was an animal lover and actually cooked meals for his dogs.

“Gabby” (as he was known by his friends) was a very smart man He was a tinkerer that could fix anything. To say he liked HAM radio would be an understatement. “ WA5RTC”, as he was known in that world, would spend hours adding equipment and making adjustments so that he could make contact with both friends and strangers from around the world. He purchased the best stereo systems and liked to play them LOUD—and then blame the kids. He also liked to make noise with fireworks… he would on occasion fire bottle rockets at the neighbors houses, and then go hide (again, blaming those kids). His house was always full of activity and became the favorite hang-out for his children and all of their friends. His gregarious presence will surely be missed by so many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Agnes Gavin; brother, Bill; sisters, Ina Kauffman and Viola Peterson; granddaughter, Catherine Williams; and great grandchildren and James and John Mast.

Dwight is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Maxine Gavin; sons, David Gavin and Billy Gavin; daughters, Cynthia Williams, Sandra Theil, Nova Gavin (Chad Ledbetter) and Tracy Gavin (Shannon Slutts); grandchildren, Jason Thiel, Janell Thiel (Charlie), Nicholas Outcalt, Frank Gavin, Gabrielle Adams (Curtis), Danielle Horton, Gavin Deere, Chastin Deere, Stephanie Mast (John) and Zoë Williams (Renée Burkhalter); great grandchildren, Tyler, Landen, Brody, Olivia, Julianne, Jacob and Aden as well as numerous, nieces nephews and extended family and many friends.