R. L. Gann

R. L. Gann, aged 72, of Meridian, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013, in a Waco care facility.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, in the Meridian High School Gymnasium with Pastor Tater Paschal and Rev. Richard Creech officiating. Burial was in the Meridian Cemetery.

R. L. was born in Meridian, Texas, August 13, 1941, to Melvin and Frances Elliott Gann. He was raised and educated in Meridian, graduating from Meridian High School in 1960. He received his Education Certification from East Texas State. R. L. taught Vocational Electronics at Stephenville High School for 26 years, where he and his students were very active in VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America). He was also active in TIVA (Texas Industrial Vocational Association). R. L. served this association in many aspects including 3 terms as District 5 President of TIVA Board of Directors. He was on the Budget Legislative, and Membership committees for TIVA, and also a Director for District 5 Skills USA and had a National Qualifying Student.

R. L. liked to hunt, fish, watch all Meridian High School sports, play golf, and travel in his travel trailer. He coached Little League baseball starting with his nephews' teams several years ago in Waco and continued coaching teams his son played on in Meridian and finished up by coaching his granddaughter's T-Ball team. He served as Scout Master to many, including a county judge and a pro football player; they were all very special to him. He loved going to stock shows to watch his grandchildren and all of his ADOPTED grandkids show their animals.

He was baptized at First Baptist Church in Meridian at age 12 and was a long time member there. Currently R. L. was a loyal member of Bosque County Cowboy Church, Meridian, Texas, where he served as co-team leader of the Building Team, until his health prohibited him from doing so.

R. L. was preceded in death by his parents: Melvin and Frances Elliott Gann; his in-laws, Houston and Opal Parrish; brothers, Billy V. Gann and Edward T. Gann; nephew, Jeremy Hollingsworth; great-niece, Heather Saldainier; great-nephew, Tally Patrick.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cynthia Parrish Gann; son, Mike Gann and wife, Beth Anne; sisters, Janette Burreson and husband, Gene; JoAnn Wimberly and husband, Jake; sister-in-law, Lorene Gann; grandchildren, Daxton Mitchell Gann, Darci Michelle Gann, and Kenneth Layne Warrick.

Pallbearers: Robin Avance, Larry McMurray, Phil Guinn, Randy Daugherty, Carl Sims, Billy Eaton, Ray Mize, and Lonnie Layne. Honorary Pallbearers are his nephews: Virgil Gann, Donald Gann, Barry Gann, Jerry Gann, Billy J. Wimberly, Ronny Wimberly, Mark Hollingsworth, and Josh Hollingsworth.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Bosque County Cowboy Church, P.O. Box 308, Meridian, Texas, 76665.

Condolences may be sent to Mr. Gann's family at http://www.lawsonfuneralhome.net/.

Arrangements by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792