Edward S. GAITHER

GAITHER, Edward S.

Born to Mildred and Frank Gaither on July 26, 1936, Ed was born and raised in Fresno where he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954 as student body president. Ed graduated from Fresno State College and began working in Fresno county schools as a speech pathologist. To better provide for his family, Ed worked in sales for the Johnson & Johnson Co. and as a manager of Smith Barney, Harris Upham in Stockton and Paine Webber in Sacramento. Ed also worked for Lyon Real Estate before returning to his first love of teaching. Ed found great joy helping others and was still employed in the Joint Center Unified School District as a speech therapist at the time of his passing.

Ed's many passions included golf. He was a member of the Stockton Golf & Country Club and Northridge Country Club in Fair Oaks. Ed achieved at least 4 documented holes in one. Known for his sense of humor and outgoing demeanor, Ed's hobbies reflected his jovial nature. He sang with the Sacramento Choral Society, and entertained railroad passengers with poignant and humorous tales of the railroad, geography and history as a docent on the Sacramento Southern Railroad and also on Amtrak. In younger years, Ed refereed football in the Sacramento and Stockton areas.

Ed passed away on September 8, 2012 and is survived by his loving daughters, Pamela Asai and Gretchen Gaither; brother, Loren Gaither (wife B. Anne of Fresno); sons-in-law, Anthony Asai and James Raia; niece, Peggy Gaither Avedisian (husband Alan); nephews, Brad Gaither, Richard Gaither (wife Judy and their children Amy and Joe).