Gerald Wayne Caston. Sr.

Gerald Wayne Caston, Sr. was called home on January 12, 2017.  He was preceded in death by his parents Mauline Hood Caston and Eben Bryant Caston, his siblings Eben Bryant Caston Jr., Laney White Caston, Donald Hood Caston, Edna Earl Caston and Frances Caston Shelton and his grandson, Charles Scott Caston. He was also preceded by sisters-in-law, Muriel Kellogg, Judy Ivey, Marie Froeliger and brother-in-law, Jimmy Cook.

Gerald Wayne Caston, Sr. was born on January 6, 1940 at the old Downey Hospital.  He was a welcome surprise for the middle-aged couple whose other children were all grown and married.

He attended Gainesville City Schools and gained notoriety for his ability to tell Uncle Remus stories, even being written up in the Times.  He had the great fortune of being a member of two graduating classes—Dawson County and Gainesville High School, classes of 1958.

He met the love of his life, Barbara, when she jumped on the back of his motorcycle by mistake, and he wouldn’t let her off without the promise of a date.  They dated five weeks and were married for 58 years.  He was much more than a brother-in-law to his eight new “siblings”….he was their brother until the day he died.  He looked after them like they were his own. He loved them dearly.

When macular degeneration made him legally blind in 1981, he retired from Southern Bell and devoted his retirement to fishing, inventing unusual things, “pimping” his beloved lawn mower, and eventually, keeping two of his grandsons on a daily basis.  Their childhoods were richly blessed with his influence each day; he reinforced loving God, doing what’s right and having fun.  Papa made every day occurrences a special event. He took special joy in attending sporting events of his grandchildren, even though he rarely saw the plays.  He yelled and whistled loudly and always said, “Good game, baby!” win or lose.

He called in regularly to WDUN and became known about town for his stories and humor. He never missed calling in a birthday.  He never complained about being blind, often saying, “When you’re blind you can’t see dirt and you can’t see ugly.”  Despite also being crippled by arthritis, he managed to go about his daily life with as little help as possible and always found something good to say to uplift those around him, never missing a chance to compliment the women in his life.

A special thanks to the staff of NEGMC 1 West who spoiled him while he was there and to the staff at The Oaks, who sweetly cared for him this week.  Our gratitude also goes to our friends at GFD Station 2 who tried valiantly to revive Caston’s Papa.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Cook Caston, his children Kim (Phil) Davis, Keith (Gina) Caston, Wayne (Debbie) Caston, grandchildren PJ (Lauren) Davis, Caston Davis, Harrison Caston, Sarah Claire Caston and Ross Caston, and great-grandchild Tripp Davis. He is also survived by in-laws: Rosa Lee Boster, Janie (Carlton) Whitlow, Darrel Ivey, Bill Froeliger, Benny (Susie) Cook, Mary (Ricky) Croy Williams, Joan Cook, Deborah Cook and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the Chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home with the Rev. Maxey Ladd officiating.  Interment will follow at Alta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, January 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:

Resource Development
American Foundation for the Blind
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10121 

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

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