Robert L. "Bob" Gatton

Robert L. "Bob" Gatton, 76, of Altamont, passed away at 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2018 at Labette Health in Parsons.

He was born May 20, 1941 in Parsons, Kansas to Eugene Monroe and Maxine Ruth (Eplee) Gatton.  He attended Caldwell School in rural Parsons and graduated in 1959 from Labette County Community High School in Altamont where he played football.  As a young boy, he began farming with his father.

On May 22, 1960, he and Nola L. Turner were married at the Oswego Christian Church.  After marriage, they lived in rural Parsons until moving to Altamont in 1970.

Bob was a bus driver for six years for Unified School District #506.  He then worked as a welder at Ruskin Manufacturing in Parsons for 35 years until retiring in 2006.  While working at Ruskin's at night, he also continued to farm during the day.

Bob enjoyed traveling to visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, hunting, fishing, camping, and gardening.  Through the years, he and Nola received great pleasure when offering their home as a gathering place for many children, family, and friends.  He also enjoyed welding useful items for their camping outings, tinkering with lawn mowers and home appliances, and in earlier years, square dancing.

Survivors include:

Three Sons – Timothy L. Gatton and wife, Linda, of Yamhill, OR

Brian L. Gatton and wife, Tina, of Altamont, KS

John L. Gatton and wife, Angela, of Parsons, KS

One Daughter – Christina L. Hall and husband, Derek, of Altamont, KS

Seventeen Grandchildren

Twenty-Seven Great-Grandchildren

One Brother – Leon Gatton of Altamont, KS

One Sister – Phyllis Sheffer of Longmont, CO

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nola Gatton, on August 18, 2016; his parents, and two brothers, William "Bill" Gatton and Russell Gatton.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont.  The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to PALS (Proud Animal Lovers Shelter). These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, KS 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.