John Daniel Gawthrop

John Daniel Gawthrop, age 93, of Frametown, WV, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 11, 2025. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, John Frank Gawthrop and Anna Mary Kessler; his wife, JoAnn Gibson Gawthrop; his grandson, Adam Reed Neese; his brother, John Frank Gawthrop, Jr.; and his sisters, Mary Louise Gault, Martha Jean Wilson, Joanne Harrison, and Marjorie Lee Young.

He left behind his daughter, Deborah Neese of Hendersonville, NC, his daughter, Penny Mize of Asheville, NC, and his granddaughter, Kaley Ann Mize of Chicago, Illinois. John also leaves behind many 'adopted' sons and daughters in Christ at Gassaway Baptist Church.

He loved his church family dearly and never missed an opportunity to be with them when the doors were open. Every Sunday after church, he would insist his pastor, Mark Stump, preached the best sermons he'd ever heard.

John looked forward to his family's reunion on the first Saturday of every August to hug all his family members and catch up on their lives in Muddlety Valley, where he had spent most of his life.

His warm hugs and jovial demeanor made him the center of attention. He always liked to make people smile with his humor and jokes. People would speak to him everywhere he went, like they were long-lost friends. John never met a stranger and always asked (if he didn't know you immediately) where you were from and who he might know to make a connection. He always had a tender heart and gave his time, attention, and money to those who needed it.

John served in 1953-54 in the 45th Infantry Division, 8th Army, as an M.P. in Seoul, Korea. John returned from the service and worked at Cook's Department Store. Later, he bought them out and changed the name to John's Department Store in 1964. He was always found with his favorite Schnauzer on his lap, ready to greet customers with a warm smile. He was in business for fifty-one years before retiring in 2015.

John was active in his community by serving on the Lions Club and the Braxton County Recreational Development Authority for 18 years as one of the original members. He served as a past master of the Masonic Lodge and a Cub Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America. At his home church, he served as a trustee and past chairman, a deacon for over fifty years, an adult Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Church Treasurer, and Chairman of the Building Committee Project.

John's hobbies included working on his antique cars, reading, fishing, cutting the lawn, and spending time with his church family and friends. His family and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, will miss his smile and warm hugs.

The family wishes to thank the many home caregivers and staff at the Braxton Nursing Center, as well as home caregivers, Susan Fields, Angie Salsbury, Sandy Jones, Bill Givens, Sandy Schaberg, Aimee Clingenpeel, and WV Hospice.

Interment was in the Hill Cemetery, Muddlety, WV.

To honor his memory, a Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date at Gassaway Baptist Church, 56 Beall Drive, Gassaway, WV. We invite anyone who knew him to attend and remember this wonderful man, father, friend, and brother in Christ.

Donations can be made in John's name to Braxton County Senior Citizens Center, 23 Sr. Center Drive, Sutton, WV 26601, WV Hospice, 21 E Main St Suite 301, Buckhannon, WV 26201, or Gassaway Baptist Church, 56 Beall Drive, PO Box 128, Gassaway, WV 26624.