Obituary

John Henry Gaither was born on January 29, 1930, to Clyde and Lois (Mathis) Gaither, in a dugout, in Hansford County in the Texas Panhandle. John passed from this life on Friday, January 11, 2019 in Abilene.

He married the love of his life, Joyce Joan Woods on December 31, 1948, in Spearman.

John went to work for Hansford County as a heavy equipment operator. In 1957, after his father’s untimely death, John assumed his father’s position as the lead foreman for Precinct 1 in Hansford County. His career with Hansford County spanned over 35 years before retiring to Lake Brownwood in 1991.

A true old fashioned cowboy, John and his horse, Coke, worked cattle for area ranchers for most of John’s life.

John and Joan were members of First Christian Church in Spearman and Grosvenor Baptist Church.

John was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joan Gaither, his parents, two brothers, Bill and Joe, and two sisters, Nina Hendricks and Clydean Owens.

John is survived by a daughter, Penny Joan Gammill of Abilene, a son, Melvin Dean “Bud” Gaither and wife Debbie of Clovis, New Mexico; two grandsons, Matt Gammill and wife Greta of College Station, and Seth Gammill and wife Anna of The Woodlands; four great grandchildren, Madison, Olivia, Garett, and Sophie Gammill, and a brother, Gene Gaither and wife Mary Lou of Kingfisher, Oklahoma.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Victor Hudman and Katherine Wilson, the nurses and staff of Wisteria Assisted Living, BrightPointe at Lytle Lake, and Kindred Hospice for their care and compassion in the last few months.

The family requests memorials be made to a favorite charity.