Elder Carlos B. Gammon

Elder Carlos B. Gammon May 22, 1931 – January 28, 2015 Carlos B. Gammon was born May 22, 1931 to the late William Edward (Jack) Gammon and Mazie Louella Gammon in Lafayette, Tenn. He was saved and baptized as a member of Old Bottom Missionary Baptist Church in Lafayette, Tennessee at the age of 9. As the eldest of three children, he attended school when he could and helped on the family farm. As a young man he looked out for his younger brother and sister, twins Betty and Bobby. He attended and graduated from Macon County High School in Lafayette, Tennessee in 1951. After moving to Indianapolis, Carlos and Elease Halliburton were joined in holy matrimony on December 15, 1951. In 1962 the marriage was blessed with a child, Lesa. On December 7, 1963, Carlos was ordained as a Minister. He and Elease were active members of Fellowship Missionary Baptist church for many years where he later served as the pastor. Elder Gammon was privileged to pastor many different churches over the years, one as far away as Rossville, Illinois. He served the Lord wherever he felt called and when not a pastor, he did mission work, served on committees, assisted in the ordaining of many young ministers, acted as song leader and in many other capacities wherever he was needed. He was looked up to, respected and admired as an Elder that young preachers could go to for advice or council. He kept track of everyone he married over the years and loved to tell stories about how many couples he had joined in marriage. He and his wife are currently members of Freedom Missionary Baptist Church. Carlos was a kind and humble man, deeply loving and devoted to God, and his family. Carlos worked at Navistar for more than twenty years and upon retiring from there, he continued to work part time at Pratt where he made many dear friends. Everyone knew him as he never met a stranger and he would always find someone to talk to about IU basketball or the Pacers. In his younger years, he loved to go watch the Indianapolis Indians games and when he was no longer able to attend, would listen to them and the Cincinnati Reds on the radio. In 2002 his only grandchild was born and she was absolutely the love of his life! He was always the first to ask "are there any new pictures of my granddaughter" and at any given time he would flip open his wallet to reveal any number of pictures of Reilly and talked about her to everyone he met. She was right until the end, his shining star, his pride and joy and his "Little Darling." Reilly was the last one to get a big hug from her granddaddy. In recent years, his health began to decline but he managed to keep going and kept his independence, driving to his favorite places to eat, despite not feeling well and the pain he was no doubt in at times. His mind stayed sharp and when he was no longer able to drive to Tennessee, he had no problem advising the way to take his daughter back to familiar places of his childhood and to the cemetery where his parents and so many other family members were laid to rest. He was always the first one to a family gathering or church service and if there was someone there to talk to, he was the last to leave. Carlos loved to be with his family, tell jokes and always had a clipping from a newspaper that he would gladly share. Sometimes it was a joke. Sometimes it was something he thought newsworthy, something about sports or something inspirational. He was blessed with the "gift of gab." Wherever he went, he talked to people and had no problem making them smile. He loved gospel music and for many years he and Elease traveled to Nashville, TN and Lousiville, KY to attend the National Quartet Convention. He had a gospel CD in his car to play at all times. Carlos departed his earthly life on January 28, 2015 at the age of 83. We know he is gone from us here on earth but He is now at peace at home with the Lord. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 63 years Elease Gammon of Indianapolis, Indiana; one daughter Lesa (Keith) Bradford and granddaughter Reilly A. Bradford of Indianapolis, Indiana; Step-granddaughters, Danielle N. Bradford of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Courtney L. Summers of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Betty Grissom of Indianapolis, Indiana; brother, Bobby Gammon (Louise) of Scottsville, KY and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and church family. He is gone but his laugh his smile, quick wit, kind and loving ways will be forever engrained in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him dearly. Humbly Submitted, the Family of Carlos Gammon