The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Elton DeWitt Gipson, 63, of Orange, passed peacefully on Dec. 19, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, Dec. 23, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father Daleo of St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Mary Mausoleum.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Rosary will be at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange

Born in Orange, on March 16, 1952, DeWitt was the son of Hershel DeWitt Gipson and Dorothy Marie (Mazzola) Gipson. He was in the last graduating class at St. Mary High School in 1970, and was an active member at St. Mary Catholic Church. DeWitt went to work with his grandfather in 1977, and started his own business in 1983, Performance Blasting & Coating, fulfilling his dream of owning a successful business to hand down to his sons and grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family and friends. One thing he loved most was bass fishing, his heart will always be at Toledo Bend.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his future wife, Kelli Montgomery of Groves; former wife, Deborah “Debbie” Gipson; son Elton DeWitt Gipson, Jr. “Deon” and wife Kera; son, Jason Gipson and wife Melinda, all of Orange; grandchildren, Ryan, Kinley, Logan, Jace and Lane Gipson; brother, Grant Gipson and wife Helen and sister, Marialane “Cowbella” Gipson Hawkins and husband Curt, all of Orange and nieces and nephews, Aaron Gipson, Candace Gipson and Blaise Hawkins.

Serving as pallbearers are Aaron Gipson, Blaise Hawkins, Dennis “Bubba” Morgan Jr, Doug Dees, Kevin Conley, Randy Sahualla, Ronnie Raley and Todd Bickham,

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Adam Middleton, Bryan Ware, Daniel Wilbur, David Nash, Don Michalk, Don Vanderbilt, Earl Kaspar, Jerry Gray, Jim Morrison, Mark Terry, Matt Marchak, Mike Chirafis, Nick Boyle and Ronald Polidore.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in DeWitt’s name to St. Mary Catholic Church at 912 W Cherry Ave. Orange, Texas 77630.