John Gast

1927 - 2014

John Antonio Oskar Gast was born on June 24, 1927, in Tombstone, Arizona, to Oskar Gast and Carmen Trejo Gast. He was one of ten children. John was married to Barbara Anderson Gast on Feb. 11, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He passed away in Cody, Wyoming, on Oct. 11, 2014, of natural causes after an extended illness. John is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughters Toni Britton and Tasha Gast; two brothers; three sisters; sisters- and brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Jason Gast; his parents; and four siblings. John was educated in the public schools of Tombstone, where he lettered 18 times in high schools sports. John loved sports and was an outstanding athlete. He attended one year at Arizona State University on a football scholarship. John earned his bachelor's degree from San Francisco State College in San Francisco, California, and his teaching credentials from Long Beach State in Long Beach, California. He earned a master's degree in Spanish literature from the University of Wyoming in Laramie. John served in the U.S. Navy aboard the destroyer USS Kleinsmith. After working at many different jobs, John became a high school Spanish and physical education teacher, beginning his lengthy teaching career at Death Valley High School in Shoshone, California. It was here that he met his wife and fellow teacher, Barbara Anderson. John taught for one year in Stockton Unified School District in Stockton, California, before settling in Palm Springs, California. He taught multiple subjects at Nellie N. Coffman Middle School, eventually teaching Spanish at Palm Springs High School. John was an adjunct Spanish teacher at College of the Desert. John's teaching career spanned a period of 35 years. He was a basketball and baseball coach. Those who came in contact with John will remember him as one of the most humorous people whom they ever knew. His keen sense of humor kept others laughing and made him a very popular teacher. His students kept in contact with him years after they had him in class and frequently made reference to the funny things he said. He was known for his many "Gastisms," which are frequently quoted by friends and former students. His love of learning was reflected in his high standards for his students and his children. He loved reading and had a private library with thousands of volumes in his personal collection. He was a vocabulary whiz, and completed a crossword puzzle every day until the day he died. He loved music and played the saxophone, the clarinet and the tuba. His private music library consisted of music from all genres. John was an adventurer and loved to travel all over the U.S., Mexico and Canada. He loved traveling in his VW bus, a tent trailer or his RV. His pleasure was to experience the culture of every country, town, or state in which he traveled. On the highway of life, he touched thousands of students and friends. He will be remembered as one who lived life to the fullest with adventure, humor, and respect. A Celebration of a Life Well Lived will be held to honor John on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at Los Compadres Clubhouse, 1849 El Cielo Road, Palm Springs. The family would be honored by your presence. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to Spirit Mountain Hospice House, 707 Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY 82414.

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