Obituaries

A Graveside Service for Robert Royce Gattis, 94, of Howe, will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 9:00 AM at West Hill Cemetery in Sherman, Texas. Pastor Steve Rice of First Baptist Church in Sherman will officiate. Robert was born in rural Collin County northeast of Celina, Texas to Pearl Orr and Virgil Gattis on August 9, 1927. Their family moved to Denison, Texas due to his dad’s employment with the Texas Electric Railway. Then the family moved to Sherman. Robert attended schools in Sherman, Denison, San Antonio and Howe where he graduated in 1945.

Robert then joined the U.S. Navy in 1945, Robert was stationed in the South Pacific and the West Coast. After training and service school in San Diego, CA, May 1946, Robert was assigned to operation Crossroads, Bikini Atoll, and Atoll bomb test. He was stationed on nearby Kwajalein Island, Duty stations on Guam and Treasure Island in San Francisco. Robert completed four years of service. He was discharged from the navy in September 1949.

Robert attended Austin College January 1950. He met and married the love of his life, Reba Fox on July 1,1950. In 1951, he started his family, Robert and Reba had two little red headed girls, Patricia Lynn and Debra Kay. He was so proud of his precious little angels. He loved his family with all his heart. He sometimes worked two jobs to see that his family was taken care of. Robert worked for Mrs.Tucker’s and was even the pitcher on Mrs.Tucker’s softball team he played softball for many years.

Robert then worked at Hardwicke-Etter until they closed and then he went to Perrin Field Air Force Base until they shut down. Robert then transferred to the Dallas Naval Air Station. Then time went on and Robert became a grandparent and then more grandkids, a total of four - Chad, Scott, Michelle and Timothy, he was so very proud of all of them. For 23 years Robert would film all occasions from birthdays to ball games, graduations, weddings, all important occasions, never missing one. Robert retired from the Navy Base after 30 years of service. He took a short retirement, but went back to work at the First National Bank of Van Alstyne.

Robert then became a great-grandparent to a total of five great grandkids, Tyler, Lucas, Kennadi, Cianah and Pearl. Still going to school activities. Robert Moved to the Texas Star Bank in Sherman, he worked there for 21 years. From there Robert’s final retirement happened. He went home to his wife, whom he fell in love with 72 years ago and they lived happily ever after.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack Gattis. He is survived by his wife, Reba; two daughters: Patti Barrett and husband Steve, and Debbi Barrett and husband Mike; four grandchildren: Chad, Scott, Michelle, and Timothy; five great-grandchildren: Tyler, Lucas, Kennadi, Cianah, and Pearl; niece, Sharon Gattis and nephew, Gregg Gattis; and his best friend, Bud the cat.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com.