This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/8193 Message Board Post: Daily Independent newspaper Ridgecrest CA Kern County May 17, 2005 GAINES D. WITTY 1947-2005 Longtime Ridgecrest resident Gaines D. Witty passed away quietly at his home with loved ones gathered about him on Thursday May 12, 2005. He was 58. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest, Thursday, May 19 at 4 pm with Dr. Ray Teston, pastor, officiating. Mr. Witty moved to Ridgecrest in 1972 where he met and married his wife Kathy in 1973. He was a very loving father, supporting his two sons, Chris and James, in all they endeavored as children and men. James brought a special joy to his life when he married Becky. He was a kind and loving man with a gentle soul and a tender heart. He made many lasting friendships throughout his life as an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. He had a great respect for life and nature. Mr. Witty served in the US Army from 1968 to 1970. He worked in construction until 1980 when he went to work at the Naval Weapons Ceneter in the carpenter shop. He moved from the carpenter shop into Planning and Estimating and from there as a construction contract specialist for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Western Division. He was preceded in death by his father Owen. He is survived by his wife Kathy, two sons Chris of Lancaster and James and wife Becky of Fairfield, mother Carmon, brothers Hurshall and Ricky all of East Prairie, Mo., mother-in-law and father-in-law Jacque and Nolan Clawson, brother-in-law Steve Clawson all of Ridgecrest, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Private cremation, arrangements and media information provided by Holland & Lyons Mortuary. News Review newspaper Ridgecrest CA May 18, 2005 GAINES D. WITTY Gaines D. Witty died quietly at his home with his loved ones gathered around him on May 12, 2005. He was 58 years old. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest Thursday May 19 at 4 pm. Dr. Ray Teston, pastor, will officiate. Gaines moved to Ridgecrest in 1972 and met and married his wife Kathy here in 1973. Gaines was a very loving father, supporting his two sons Chris and James in all they endeavored as chldren and men. James brought a special joy to Gaines' life when he married Becky. Gaines was a kind and loving man with a gentle soul and a tender heart. He made many lasting friendships throughout his life. Gaines was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer and had great respect for life and nature. Gaines served in the Army from 1968-1970. Gaines worked in construction until 1980 when he went to work in the Naval Weapons Center carpenter shop. He moved into Planning and Estimating and from there became a construction contract specialist for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Western Division. Gaines is survived by his wife Kathy, his two sons Chris of Lancaster and James and wife Becky of Fairfield, his mother Carmon and brothers Hurshall and Ricky all of East Prairie, Mo., mother-in-law and father-in-law Jacque and Nolan Clawson and brother-in-law Steve Clawson, all of Ridgecrest, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Owen. The family requests contributions to a charity of choice. Private cremation and arrangements were by Holland & Lyons Mortuary.