Mary Ann Gasson

Born: January 11, 1930 - Died: January 14, 2014

It is with much sadness that we, the immediate family, are notifying family and friends of the passing of Mary Ann (Barr) Gasson. Mary passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at 11:12 AM at Methodist West Houston Hospital. Mary was 84 years old.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at the Katy Funeral Home with a reception following at the home of Paul and Jennifer Gasson.

Katy Funeral Home

23350 Kingsland Boulevard

Katy, TX 77494

281-395-7070

Visitation hours: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Casual dress

Paul and Jennifer Gasson

2430 Ranch Hollow Court

Katy, TX 77494

832-814-6447

Reception hours: 5:30 - 8:30 PM

A grave-side service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery (VA Cemetery) on Monday, January 20, 2014, at 1:15 PM with another reception following at the home of Paul and Jennifer Gasson.

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, TX 77038

281-447-8686

Memorial Service: 1:15 PM

A web site is available for viewing and comments at www.KatyFH.com under the name Gasson, Mary Ann.

It is with profound joy that we celebrate her life. Mary turned 84 on Saturday, January 11, 2014, and celebrated with the families of two of her sons, the family of her first and only grandson, including his son (her first great-grandson) and friends for dinner in her honor.

Mary loved to travel, especially cruising with her husband John before he passed. She traveled recently with her oldest son John and his wife to see relatives, including her brother and his wife, her two sisters-in-law and their spouses and her two brother’s-in-law and their spouses.

Mary liked to occasionally visit the casino’s, taking trips with family and friends to play the “penny slots” and be with people she cared about.

Mary enjoyed playing cards, dominos (“42”) and Wii bowling with her friends from her previous time living at Eagles Trace and her most recent home at Grand Parkway. She would spend many afternoons and evenings in the club house of these retirement communities with her friends.

Mary was a huge Texas A&M Football fan, having gone to games from the time her oldest son entered A&M in 1971 until the passing of her husband in 2003. When she couldn’t attend in person, she would watch the games on TV with a cold beer. If she couldn’t get the game on TV, she would listen on the radio cheering and/or fussing depending on how the Aggies were playing.

Mary had scheduled a “family cruise” for this summer ... she talked about it constantly and was so looking forward to it. The family will honor her by taking the cruise and celebrating her life.

Most of all, Mary just loved to spend time visiting with her family and friends sharing memories and making new ones.

Mary lived simply and many times spoke of a simple burial. Her passing, although unexpected, came quickly and without pain. In lieu of flowers, Mary would have wanted something to benefit others. To honor her memory, the family has set up a memorial fund in her name:

12th Man Foundation

P.O. Box 2800

College Station, TX 77841

979-260-7577

[email protected]

- Donations by check should include “Mary Gasson Memorial Fund” in the memo.

- Donations by credit card can be made by calling the 12th Man Foundation at the number shown above.

Mary was born is San Antonio, TX to David Edward Barr, Jr., and Ida Elizabeth (Goetz) Barr. She had four older brothers: Edward Lawrence Barr, James Paul Barr, Charles Spencer Barr and Thomas Joseph Barr.

Mary met the love of her life, John Hughford Gasson in San Antonio while he was stationed at Lackland AFB. John was the eldest son of John Gasson and Annie Lou (Hopkins) Gasson of Covington, TN. They married on February 8, 1949.

Over the next two decades, they traveled around the globe as John completed a 20 year career in the U.S. Air Force. During this time, there were three sons born: John Edward Gasson, Robert Wayne Gasson and Paul Richard Gasson.

Mary was predeceased by her husband John; her parents Edward and Ida, her in-laws John and Annie, her brothers Edward (and his first wife Rosalie), James (and his wife Lexie), Charlie (and his wife Loretta), and brother-in-law Julian Whitley.

Mary is survived by the following immediate family members:

Sons: John Gasson, and his wife Rhonda; Robert (Bobby) Gasson, and his wife Terri; and Paul Gasson, and his wife Jennifer.

Grandson: John Travis Gasson, and his wife Melanie and their son John William.

Granddaughters: Sara Lynn (Gasson) Allen, and her husband Joey; Shelby Brianne Gasson; and Rachel Nicole Gasson.

Brother Thomas (Tommy) Barr, and his wife Shirley; sister-in-law Doris Zimmerman Barr; sister-in-law Glenda June (Gasson) Whitley; brother-in-law Earl Wayne Gasson, and his wife Judy; sister-in-law Jo Ann (Gasson) Vick, and her husband Charlie; and brother-in-law Robert Darell Gasson, and his wife Beverly.

Numerous generations of nieces and nephews.

Step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.