John E. Gathright

John E. Gathright Jr. passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.  He lived many happy and successful years following quadruple bypass heart surgery in 1998 but finally lost to its many problem side effects. At his request, his body has been donated to science at the University of Michigan Medical School.  A private service will be held later when his ashes are returned.  Memorials may be made to any animal rescue organization or the charity of the donors’ choice.”  Those wishing to share a memory of John may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. John was born in Benton Harbor, MI on April 5, 1942, but when he was around three years old his parents moved the family back to AR where John spent his early years living on the farm.  Later, when he was 14 they moved back to Benton Harbor again.  Though it was an adjustment moving from the farm and the South to city life and a large high school, John quickly made several new friends.  Many of these friends remained in very close touch throughout his entire life and are a true and faithful example to the special bonds of friendship. In his early adulthood, he played slo-pitch softball and was the pitcher for the extremely well-known Bargain Center team (two pictures and a large write up in the News Palladium newspaper) where he played with his brothers, brother-in-law, nephews and other close friends and relatives.  He also was an avid pool player (learning from his own father) and shared that interest with his father (John Sr.) and his son (John III).  He played on area pool leagues; again with other family; including his son & daughter, Lynne.  He enjoyed going to the finals in Las Vegas.  John was also an avid Harley Davidson fan and owned several over the years.  He was able to attend the yearly Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota a few times and loved talking about it. For his life’s work, he started G & G Trucking Company.  His brother Jerry was his partner and they later became known as Gathright Services Inc..   They have served Whirlpool Corporation from the beginning of G & G Trucking to currently still operating successfully for almost 40 years there as a testament to their hard work and quality service. During his time on the job, he traveled all over the United States being able to say that he had been in every state except one. He stated he had traveled a “million miles” throughout the U.S.   He often reminded us that he traveled all those miles without a single ticket or accident.   He loved seeing the different and unique countryside of our wonderful nation.   He also was proud of being able to deliver a Whirlpool product directly to the White House in our nation’s capital and also delivered Whirlpool’s donations to the New Orleans victims of Hurricane Katrina. Above all else or certainly equal to everything, he loved being “Papa” to his two extraordinary grandchildren; granddaughter Sunny and grandson Tristan (also lovingly referred to as T.J).  He felt that every single minute of watching them grow up was so special and was proud of all their accomplishments; both big and small.  He felt very fortunate to be a constant and steady part of their lives.  He was lucky to be able to keep in close touch with his grandson, T.J. in CA.   He could often be found palling around with his granddaughter, Sunny here in St. Joseph; they had a very special bond and were a great team.  Sunny says…”you were lucky if you knew my papa; you understand what I mean if you know him.  My grandpa was a special stand-up guy.  If you were REALLY lucky, I mean really, really lucky you got to call him your Papa.  I loved my grandpa so much.” John was preceded in death by both parents, John & Dorothy Gathright, his sisters Mary Welch & young Dora Gathright.  He was also preceded by his son John E. Gathright III.  He is survived by his wife Sara (Chesher) Gathright and daughter Lynne Gathright both of St. Joseph, grandson Tristan Weber of CA, granddaughter Sara Gathright (Sunny) of Stevensville,  brothers William (Marion) Gathright, Jerry (Sharon) Gathright, Steve (Maureen) Gathright, and sister Linda (James) Arnold.  He is also survived by several nephews, nieces, and sisters-in law and brothers-in law that will miss him too.  Again, John also had many close friends formed from high school days continuing to present days and he always counted those as his blessings too. He was a truly good man.