Steve's passions were trains, bicycling, bird watching, hunting and shooting, football, history, his children and grandchildren. His family described him as "Father Christmas" because of his love for all things that glitter and shine, illuminated his holiday spirit.
Steve was a strong man of faith who felt called to Christian Higher Education. He had a servant's heart, wanting to help students succeed. While in the ICU he asked each of his family members to tell him they believed in Jesus.
Steve graduated high school from Russell, Kansas. Completed a Bachelor of Science in History from Emporia State University and a Masters in Student Personnel Services at Washburn University. He began his career in Career Services at Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas in 1974. He moved his family to Longview in 1987 to work for LeTourneau University as Director of Career Services, retiring in June 2014.
Steve is survived by his wife, Pam Gatton; son Shawn Gatton and wife, Samantha, children Maggie and Reid, of Honolulu, HI; daughter Heather Tikhonoff and husband, Justin, children Hudson and Blakely of Allen, TX; daughter Holly Gatton of Dallas, TX; brother Lee Gatton and wife Beverly of Overland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Lila Abercrombie.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Welch Funeral Home. Burial will be at Cross Plains Cemetery, Russell County Kansas.
Steve's passions were trains, bicycling, bird watching, hunting and shooting, football, history, his children and grandchildren. His family described him as "Father Christmas" because of his love for all things that glitter and shine, illuminated his holiday spirit.
Steve was a strong man of faith who felt called to Christian Higher Education. He had a servant's heart, wanting to help students succeed. While in the ICU he asked each of his family members to tell him they believed in Jesus.
Steve graduated high school from Russell, Kansas. Completed a Bachelor of Science in History from Emporia State University and a Masters in Student Personnel Services at Washburn University. He began his career in Career Services at Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas in 1974. He moved his family to Longview in 1987 to work for LeTourneau University as Director of Career Services, retiring in June 2014.
Steve is survived by his wife, Pam Gatton; son Shawn Gatton and wife, Samantha, children Maggie and Reid, of Honolulu, HI; daughter Heather Tikhonoff and husband, Justin, children Hudson and Blakely of Allen, TX; daughter Holly Gatton of Dallas, TX; brother Lee Gatton and wife Beverly of Overland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Lila Abercrombie.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Welch Funeral Home. Burial will be at Cross Plains Cemetery, Russell County Kansas.
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