Valarin Gattis of Evadale, Texas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, August 27, 2005. He died quietly in his sleep at his home with his beloved dog Baby by his side. Mr. Gattis had just celebrated his 83rd birthday. Funeral services will be held at Farmer’s Funeral Home in Silsbee, Texas, Monday August 29 at 11:00 A.M. with burial to follow at Oakhill Cemetery in Oakdale, LA.
Valarin Gattis was born in Ratcliff, Ark. on August 10, 1922, had lived in Brownsville, Texas for part of his childhood, moved to Champaign, Illinois for his teen years, and had lived in Oakdale, Louisiana before moving to Evadale, Texas in 1958 to work at Eastex Pulp and Paper until retirement from Temple-Inland as a millwright.
Mr. Gattis was a member and deacon of Friendship Baptist Church in Buna, Texas. He served in the United States Army during World War II in the 106th Black Horse Calvary (Mechanized) and 121st Calcary Reconnaissance Squadron which fought across Central Europe. He was also a member of the Evadale Masonic Lodge.
Valarin Gattis was known for his love of gardening and sharing his vegetables. He also loved to trotline fish in the Neches River. He enjoyed singing, had served as choir director at Central Baptist Church in Evadale for many years, and was a member of the choir at Friendship Baptist Church in Buna.
Mr. Gattis was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Geraldine Gattis. He is survived by daughters Joyce Jones and husband Jimmy, Janet Gillentine and husband Earl, all of Evadale; grandchildren Dennis Reeves and wife Tammy of Evadale, Leslie Ainsworth and husband Trey, of Lufkin, Trent Jones of Beckville, Aaron Gillentine and wife Angela of Evadale, Jason Gillentine and wife Jennifer of Tyler and five great-grandchildren, Austin and Dylan Reeves, Laurel Ainsworth, Brent and Natalie Gillentine.
The family expresses their appreciation to Bro. Bernard Stott of Friendship Baptist Church, Bro. Sonny Jewell for his faithful weekly visits, Mrs. Cyndi Johnson of Lumberton for her sweet kindness and care, Wanda Jones and Pat Williams for thoughtfulness bringing food, Tammy Murphy and Shelly Landers for their nursing skills, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Owens for the many rides to church, and Mr. Dillon Ferguson for the many trips to the barber shop. We also would like to thank his neighbors for watching out for him the past few years.
