Gerald Emmett Mastin was born prematurely during the post-depression era on July 19, 1937 in Dallas, Texas to Rdward Mastin of Osceola, Arkansas and Beatrice Hammond of Dallas, Texas. He passed away peacefully in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 5, 2021 at the age of 83. Being born prematurely and during a difficult time in our nation's history, Gerald left school after the fourth grade to earn a living. He worked various jobs as a laborer until he enlisted in the Army as a tanker on June 23, 1954. He served three years on active duty and was honorably discharged on November 30, 1962.
Gerald was a tradesman his entire life and was an exceptional painter. An avid outdoorsman, Gerald spent most of his free time on his bass boat catching bass, crappie, and catfish with his grandchildren or chasing deer through the pines in southern Arkansas. Gerald also enjoyed long four-wheeler rides with family and friends.
Gerald had two brothers and is predeceased by former spouses Kathryn Mastin and Frances Louise Simpson as well as stepdaughter Sondra Wyatt, and his grandson John Thomas. He had two daughters, Martha and Marla with Kathryn and three stepdaughters Carol Thomas, Sondra Wyatt, and Sharon Rankin with Louise. Surviving family members are Carol Thomas of North Little Rock and Sharon Rankin of Sherwood along with seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
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