Graveside services for Rob Roy Gattis, 91, of Van Alstyne, were held Wednesday, Feb.
29, at 10 a.m. at Cannon Cemetery in Van Alstyne with Gary Gibbs officiating. He passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2012.
Gattis was born July 30, 1920, in Anna, the son of Jessie and Emma (Britton) Gattis. He grew up in the community of Kelly in Collin County and graduated from Anna High School. He met and later married Mary Louise Murphy of Van Alstyne. They were married on May 26, 1940 at the First Christian Church parsonage, where they were lifelong members and very active in church affairs. Mary and he were lifetime companions until her death on Feb. 8, 2008.
Gattis volunteered for the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served on board a B-17 bomber as a radioman and attained the rank of staff sergeant. He flew 29 missions into Germany and earned several air medals and six oak leaf clusters. After his service in the war, he attended Austin College, where he earned a master’s degree in business. He taught school for a time and then entered the banking business, which became his life career. He was an officer at the First National Bank of Van Alstyne for many years, and then he served as the president of the Leonard National Bank until his retirement.
Gattis was a man who loved to hunt, fish and work with his livestock on the family farm east of Van Alstyne. He cherished time with his two granddaughters teaching them to ride horses and drive their go-cart. He also enjoyed his five great-grandchildren, and was able to attend many of their activities before his health failed. Rob was a kind, gentle and good man who will be missed by all who knew him.
Gattis is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Mike Gattis and Peggy Gattis, who he loved dearly and was his caregiver during his last three years; two granddaughters, Angie Hilliard and Paige Wilhelm; five great-grandchildren, Briann, Fallon and Journie Hilliard, Tucker Salsman and Chandler Wilhelm; and one sister, Pat Haga of Garden City, Kan. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.
Visitation was held from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Van Alstyne or the Cannon Cemetery Association. An online guestbook is available at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.
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