CHARLES LEROY GATTON, 98, passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at Baptist Health. He was
born April 9, 1924 in a shotgun house in Highland Park, Wampon Street, Louisville, Kentucky, which is now part of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Married his high school sweetheart, Clara Rountree, in 1946; they had three daughters, Cherry Gatton Stevens
(Charlie), Vicki Gatton Peterson (Bill), and Kathie Gatton Sloan (Mike); six grandchildren, Angie Stevens Weigel (Scott), Becky Stevens Johnson (Eddie), Kelley Peterson Kostich (Tyler), Jarret Colvin (Stefanie), Katie Colvin and Jacob Sloan (Sarah); six great-grandchildren, Taylor Johnson, Ben Johnson, Anna Weigel, Matthew Johnson, Emily
Weigel and Brady Kostich.
A WWII Navy Veteran; he retired in 1982 as Assistant Chief Engineer for the L&N Railroad with 36 years of service. Following his retirement he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, serving as house leader for numerous homes, worked on Extreme building projects with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and worked for Kentucky Highlands, building zero energy homes in Albany, KY.
Charlie and Clara loved to travel in their motorhome traveling across the United States several times and visiting family and friends along their way. They were active members of Midlane Park Baptist Church for over 40 years and then joined Buechel Park Baptist when the churches merged. He served as a deacon and then as a deacon Emeritus for many years
He was preceded in death by his parents Martin Sales Gatton and Nellie Janes Gatton; his loving wife, Clara, of 74 years in December of 2020; and his brothers, Thomas E. Gatton and Robert O Gatton.
A Celebration of his life will be held at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205. His visitation and a service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 2:00, with the funeral service to follow at 2:00.
The family requests that memorials be given to Habitat for Humanity or Buechel Park Baptist Church.