Louis Gabbard

Louis Ray Gabbard was born on January 6, 1939 to Everett Ray and Idell Gabbard in Foreman, Arkansas. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Gunners Mate and was one of the last Shell Backs. He met Caron Kay Betts in Foreman, Arkansas. Louis and Caron married on May 21, 1960. They had 2 daughters Karesa Kay and Raedena Kathleen. He retired from Terra Nitrogen where he worked as a Chemical plant operator most of his life. He was working at the Cherokee Nitrogen plant when it blew up in the 1970's. He loved hunting, fishing and playing guitars with family and friends. He absolutely loved and adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren, but most of all, he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and loved serving him. He also served as a deacon at the Pryor Church Of Christ for the past 35 years. You could always find Louis visiting the sick, the shut - ins and he enjoyed making the Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets to give out at the church. He was a true servant. If he was not helping at the church, you would find him volunteering at the DAV office. He also enjoyed driving the DAV transportation van for the veterans. He held several offices and served as the Chaplin for the DAV.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m, Saturday, December 31, 2016 in the Pryor Church of Christ with Brother D.J. Castoe officiating. Burial will follow in the Graham Memorial Cemetery with Jay Martin, Jerry McCoy, Chris Martin, Hayden Walsh, Greg Whitlock, and Keith Martin serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Lonnie Betts and Reb Betts. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2016 in the Shipman's Funeral Home Chapel. To leave his family a message, please visit his Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service.

Louis is survived by his wife, Caron Gabbard of the home; daughters, Karesa Martin and husband Jay of Pryor, Oklahoma and Raedena McCoy and husband Jerry of Pryor, Oklahoma; brother, Leroy Gabbard of Miami, Oklahoma; sisters, Diane Nolan of Foreman, Arkansas and Debbie Rogers of Winter Haven, Florida; grandchildren, Keith Martin, Chris Martin, Pam Whitlock, Amy McCoy and Kara McCoy; great grandchildren, Addisyn Whitlock, Kinzi Martin and Brynn Martin. He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Idell Gabbard; brothers, Everett Gabbard and Tony Gabbard and sisters, Barbara Stuart, Betty Smith, and Clara Betts.

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