A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for Graton Roger Gathright
Posted to Gathright mailing list by Carolyn Gathright, 2/6/06:
Roger Gathright, 90, known as 'Storyteller'
BANKS Graveside services were to be at 1 p.m. today in Hayward Cemetery for Roger Gathright, 90, Banks.
Mr. Gathright died Jan. 27, 2006, at his home.
An open house at 52320 NW Cedar Canyon Road was to follow the services.
Mr. Gathright was born Nov. 7, 1915, in Batesville, Ark., a son of Graton and Geneva R. Rogers Gathright. He was raised on the family farm.
He worked on a railroad before entering the U.S. Navy, where he served as an aircraft mechanic, flight engineer/co-pilot. He was stationed in California, Kansas and various Pacific islands, including Tinian and Saipan.
While helping out at the Naval base library, he met the librarian, Byrda Leonard. They were married Jan. 24, 1943.
At the end of World War II, Mr. Gathright worked in railroading, logging, firefighting and trucking until health problems forced his early retirement.
In 1968, he realized a dream of becoming a farmer on a farm in Banks. He boasted an "all girls" field support and hay crew and taught his grandchildren and local teenagers the value of hard work and tolerance for a cross-generational effort.
Mr. Gathright was known by many as the "Storyteller" and had a vast repertoire of stories of his childhood, railroading, logging and his war experiences.
He enjoyed carpentry and built five houses for his family, including two on his farm near Banks.
Survivors include a son, Ted Gathright, San Jose Calif.; two daughters, Janet and Nancy Gathright, both of Banks; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Howard Gathright, Missoula, Mont., and Lloyd Gathright, Rogue River.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Byrda Gathright; and a son, David Gathright.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Banks Public Library.
Fuiten, Rose and Hoyt Funeral Home of Forest Grove is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Hillsboro Argus on February 03, 2006.
From Carolyn Gathright:
[GRG]- "I was born the North edge of Batesville (west end) on WR29 (thats White River, Milepost 29) near Cushman I learned trains at the age of 19, working as a switcher at a lime plant in Arkansas.
When I lived in Sonora (CA) I worked on the Sierra Railway.
I was a V-6 enlisted reserve in the Navy, I worked on Airplanes.
After the navy I reported to work at my last job at the rail yards in Phoenix where I had worked ten years earlier."
2nd Class Aviation machinist. never got 1st class stuff in records. served alot of special detail.
[AZdir]- 1942 p193 & 1945p219, Gathright, Roger (Roberta) Clk S P Co, h E Polk Rt 9 bx 371
[AZdir]- 1946-47 NL, 1948-49 p 367& 1950p278, Gathright Roger (Byrda) clk S P Co, h 6701 N 25th dr, rt8
[CAG]-Divorced by 1942
6800278 Naval reserve Service Number from Roger 496198 VA insurance number.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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