Walter Victor Gaines

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Walter V. Gaines but rejoices that he is in the house of our Lord with family and friends who were waiting for him with open arms.

Mr. Gaines was born May 9, 1942, in Morganton, NC, a son of the late Albert W. Gaines and Stella Curtis Gaines. He was a 1960 graduate of Hudson High School in Hudson, NC and retired as Postmaster of the Buffalo post office. Walter was a veteran of United State Air Force and proudly served his country. In his younger days, Walter played baseball, had a paper route and played in a band. He was a member of Buffalo Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra Gamble Gaines; a daughter, Sherry G. Navarro (Alex); a son, Bryan Victor Gaines (Christie) and the joy and pride of his life a grandson, William “Riley” Gaines. He is also survived by sisters, Sandy Maust, Jackie Cardwell (Ronnie), Susie Nichols (Johnny); a brother, Albert Gaines; sisters-in-law, Brenda McKevlin (Tom), Jewel Dean Gaines, Gail Gaines and numerous nieces and nephew and a very special friend, Charles Sanders. He was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah Gaines Ramsey; brothers, Steve Gaines, Jimmy Gaines, Gary Gaines, Ricky Gaines and Johnny Gaines and sister, Patty Margaret Gaines; sisters-in-law, Patricia Gaines, Nancy Gamble Barbour and brothers-in-law, Larry Barbour and George Maust.

Walter was known for his strength (even when his hands sometimes wouldn’t cooperate), his love for our Lord, and his family and friends. He always wanted to help someone even when the same was rarely returned. He possessed the ability to draw you in as he sat and recalled a hunting adventure, down to the weather of that day, the wind direction, where exactly he was sitting in his stand, but at times couldn’t remember the day. We watched you age and get aggravated because you couldn’t get something done the first time like you had done it all your life. We saw your life change before our eyes as you grew older. Dad, what you didn’t realize is we struggled with you, but what we saw was the same strong and caring man who loved life and his family. The man who at one time would go hunting in the snow, the same man that came flying in the driveway after he had just taken a big buck and your wide smile and infectious laugh. You taught us so much from hunting, fishing, gardening and the way we worked together even though it took years off of our life cleaning all those trees after the hurricane. We did it together and the fact that we did speaks more about the father, husband and grandfather you were. Thank you for all of the life lessons you taught all of us and showing us all of the strength one person can have and ignite it into others. You are the absolute best this family and friends could ever have. Give Debbie a huge hug for us and go join Uncle Jimmy on the stand in Heaven he has been holding just for you.

No service are scheduled at this time. The family will be at the home, 1040 Main St., Buffalo.