Thomas Gaston

Thomas Andrew "Andy" Gaston, age 76, of Russellville, Arkansas passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.

He was born November 6, 1949, in Longview, Washington to James Mack and Martha Jones Gaston. He grew up in and lived most of his life in Russellville, Arkansas. Andy received bachelor's degrees from Arkansas Tech University in both Political Science and Geology; he received a master's degree in Geology from the University of Arkansas. Between his two bachelor's degrees at Arkansas Tech, he served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Detroit combat supply ship. He retired from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality as an inspector for the national Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers James Mack Gaston, Jr. and Dr. John Gaston.

He is survived by his daughter, Rachel Lynn Gaston-Pifer and her husband Ross Pifer of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; his grandchildren Andrew Joseph Pifer, Isaac James Pifer, and Elizabeth Juliana Pifer of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; one sister, Rebecca Brown and her husband David of Russellville; two brothers, Timothy Gaston and his wife Joanne of Dardanelle, Arkansas, and Daniel Gaston and his wife Cheris of Athens, Alabama as well as many nieces and nephews.

Andy was interested in everything. He especially enjoyed all things science, cooking, canning, wine making, gun smithing, sight-seeing, being retired, spending time with his family, and walking his grand-dog, Rudolph.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville, Arkansas. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association – www.heart.org.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com.