Frank Wayne Gaston

Rock Hill - Mr. Frank Wayne Gaston, 63, a Rock Hill Resident and Vietnam Veteran (1968 - 1970) died Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at the V.A. Hospital, Columbia, SC surrounded by his family.

Surviving are his mother, Gertrude Gaston (97 years old); two sisters, Mary Martin and her husband Ed and Betty Loveless; four brothers, Sam Gaston and his wife Patricia, David Gaston and his wife Carrie Acquaro, Johnny Gaston and his wife Martha and Bill Gaston; 12 nephews and nieces; and 19 great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his father Samuel Porter Gaston in 1978.

Frank was a devoted son, brother, brother-in-law, Uncle, Great Uncle and friend.

Like so many veterans of the Vietnam Was he was quiet about his experiences and suffered in silence with both the physical and the psychological pain endured in that conflict.

Frank was a lover of Blue Grass music and authority on it because of his focus on that genre. He was also very interested in and involved with teaching others to apreciate it and to listen to the lyrics in which the soul of the music resides.

Frank was also a dutiful son who took care of his mother, Gertrude, 97, for the past 27 years and he will be sorely missed.

As a son, brother, uncle and friend Frank had an unusual ability to be both a private person as well as an engaging conversationalist when allowed to share his experiences with those to whom he spoke.

Frank loved his mother, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and friends but was not demonstrative emotionally except through reverse psychology in which he follows a sonsistent and long line of Gaston thinking.

Frank made his footprint on the lives of those with whom he came into contact in many differnet ways and will be remembered uniquely by each person, who has their own special memories of Frank and his friendship and family relationships.

His true immorality lies in the memories of his life by each of those who knew him.

We shall all mis Frank in our own special way and pray that he is reunited with departed loved ones and basking in the Glory of God without pain and suffering and with eternal peace and perpetual light shining upon him.

All memorial and ceremonies were private.

Anyone wishing to honor Frank can make a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the family.