Walter "Coach" Gideon Jr.'s Obituary
Services for Walter “Coach” Gideon, Jr., 82, of Hallsville will be held in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Longview on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Hallsville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Mr. Gideon was reunited with the love of his life, Jo Ann on August 1, 2015.
Walter was born on March 18, 1933 to Walter and Beaulah Gideon in Houston, TX. He graduated from Aldine High School before attending the University of Houston. He married his high school sweetheart and soul mate of 61 years, Jo Ann Palmer in 1953. He then began a coaching and teaching career that included stops in Judson, Winona, Chapel Hill and finally in Hallsville schools. At Hallsville he coached boys and girls of all ages, was a bus driver and eventually served as Athletic Director/Coordinator until his retirement. He also taught drivers education, and won awards in bus driver competitions. Walter and Jo Ann were active members of Hallsville Church of Christ and Alpine Church of Christ.
Walter is survived by one brother and sister-in-law Wesley and Peggy Gideon of Bryan, TX; daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Jon Draper of Spring Hill; three sons and daughters-in-law Larry and Angie Gideon of Lake Cherokee, Ron and Kim Gideon of Hallsville, Mark and Lisa Gideon of Kilgore; 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Walter was a coach that touched many lives and was a wonderful husband, dad, big daddy and a true Bobcat.
The family would like to thank Songbird Assisted Living and Care Team Hospice for the special care that “Coach” received. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Care Team Hospice, 4362 North HWY 259, Longview, TX 75605.
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