Larry Wayne Gaither

Larry Wayne Gaither, resident of Memphis with extended family members in Fayette County and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, departed this life Sunday afternoon, February 2, 2014 at the Methodist North Hospital in Memphis. He was 69 years of age and died unexpectedly of natural causes.

Services of Remembrance with Military Honors for Mr. Gaither were conducted at 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 7th at the Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova with Rev. Alan Harmon officiating. Remarks were given by Rev. Joe Jernigan and Mr. Gaither’s family members, Jim, Sam, Louis, Bob and Mike Gaither and Taylor Zell. Special music was provided by Stefanie Morris and Alan Harmon. Interment followed in the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery near Germantown. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center — Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Gaither was born February 6, 1944 in Ashport, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mahon Cecil Gaither and Lillie Ann Cockrell Gaither. He was a graduate of Truman High School and received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Park College in Kansas City, Missouri. He continued his education in other areas during his military career.

A people-person who enjoyed the friendships of many, Mr. Gaither will be remembered for his love of family, his country and his friends. After serving his country during the Vietnam Period, he continued serving as a consultant and recruiter until his retirement three years ago. He was a devoted member of the Bellevue Baptist Church and enjoyed serving as a volunteer handyman, helping people regardless of their need. Mr. Gaither will be remembered as a multitalented person who enjoyed many interests that included golfing, racquetball, running, bowling, softball and following his favorite football teams.

Mr. Gaither is survived by his wife, Jeanne Gaither, an administrative secretary for Lehman Roberts Company in Memphis; three sons, Scott Gaither of Cordova, Mike Gaither of Memphis, Shawn Gaither of Horn Lake, MS; three sisters, Lois Smith of Cleveland, TN, Kathy Frisbee of Los Angeles, CA, Phyllis Rottgering of Germantown; four brothers, Bob Gaither of Senatobia, MS, Jim Gaither of Byhalia, MS, Louis Gaither of Oakland, Sam Gaither of West Memphis, AR; three stepbrothers, Leon Gaither of Collierville, Woody Gaither of Moscow, Maurice Gaither of Mississippi; two grandchildren, Scotty Gaither, Jessika Gaither; eight step-grandchildren; and the mother of his children, Jan Gaither.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Billy Gaither.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Mike Gaither, Shawn Gaither, Scott Gaither, Jim Gaither, Sam Gaither, Louis Gaither, Bob Gaither, Gary Addison & Jimmie Gaither.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.