Frank Starr “Sarge” Gatton, 83, of Hollywood, MD died November 20, 2010 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.

Born July 27, 1927 in Hollywood, MD he was the son of the late Oscar Starr and Elizabeth Dean Gatton.

Mr. Gatton was the loving husband of Margaret Harris Gatton whom he married on January 28, 1950 in Holy Name Catholic Church, Washington, D.C..

Mr. Gatton is survived by his children; Janet Norton (Henry) of White Plains, MD, Marvin Gatton (Gail), Frank Gatton (Gene) and Christopher Gatton (Tammy) all of Lusby, MD.

He is also survived by his sister; Beulah Rowe of Baltimore, MD, grandchildren; Angela Howe, Christina Goshorn, Emily Gatton, Katie Gatton, Jessica Gatton, Michael Gatton, Jason Gatton, Shane Gatton, Shannon Gatton, Christopher Gatton, Bruce Norton, James Norton and Mark Norton as well as his great grandchildren; Mercedes Umpstead of TX, Sheldon Howe of Leonardtown, MD, Megan and Jacob Goshorn of White Plains, MD, Lily Grace and Will Norton of TN, Landon and Talon Gatton of Hollywood, MD, Cassie Gatton of FL, and Brandon Gatton of Leonardtown, MD.

He was preceded in death by his two sons; Michael Gatton and J.P. Gatton as well as his siblings; Goldie, Noots, Raechel, Edith, Lola, William, Sterling, Peter, Boots, Edward and Solomon.

He received his GED in 1961 while serving in the Air Force. Mr. Gatton moved to St. Mary’s County in 1972 from Bradbury Heights, MD and was a Heavy Equipment operator on the Patuxent River Naval Air Station until retiring in 1989. Mr. Gatton served in the United States Army and the United States Air Force from 1945 until his retirement in 1965 after serving 20 years. He served during the Korean War and his Duty Stations include; Ft. Sill, OK, Panama Canal, Bolling AFB, Johnson Field, Japan, Andrews AFB, Clark AFB, Philippines, Loring AFB and Maine.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, playing cards, traveling and also enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD with prayers being said at 7:00 PM by Fr. Eamon Dignan. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday November 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM in Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD with Henry Norton officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Hollywood, MD.

Pallbearers will be Mr. Gatton’s grandsons; Michael Gatton, Jason Gatton, Shane Gatton, Shannon Gatton, Christopher Gatton, Bruce Norton, James Norton, and Mark Norton. Honorary Pallbearers are John B. Thompson, Hoover Jones, Russell Millar and Calvin Morgan.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Frank Starr Gatton can be made to the Hollywood Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636.