Walter Preston Gann, 74, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at his home in Marshfield.
He was born Aug. 6, 1938, in Bloodland, son of Sam and Jessie Christenson Gann. He and Sharon Holets were married Jan. 12, 1981.
He grew up in the Rocky Branch community and attended a one-room school there. He graduated from Houston High School in 1957.
He was run over by a school bus in high school, but recovered after multiple surgeries and many months in the hospital.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors. He made many hunting trips to the west, mostly in Colorado. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and visited most of the 50 states, including cruises to Alaska and Hawaii.
He operated two gun stores out of his home in Houston and Strafford. He was a musician and recorded a studio record of his favorite gospel songs.
He was a member of the Marshfield Masonic Lodge and about Ben Ad hem Shrine. He was an active member of Son-Rise Christian Church.
He worked 30 years for the Producers Creamery that later became Mid-America Dairy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; three sisters, Connie, Dale and Orville “Bud” Gann; and a sister, Hazel Thompson.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon of the home; two daughters, Lesia Mayfield of Houston and Teresa Gaston of the home; a son, Douglas Gann of Marshfield; two stepdaughters, Lori Bailey of Marshfield and Tami Smithee of Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was Saturday, Dec. 15, at Son-Rise Christian Church in Mansfield with Brother Greg Strickland officiating.
