28 Nov Henry J. Gayton Jr.

Henry J. Gayton Jr., 93, of Bismarck, passed away November 26, 2023.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Bismarck Funeral Home.  Burial will take place at a later date.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Prayer Service and a time of sharing at 7:00 PM, refreshments will be served.

Henry was born on November 26, 1930, in Fort Yates, ND to Henry and Coral (Hogenson) Gayton. He was the oldest of three children raised with brother Ronnie and sister Karen.  Growing up during the depression was a difficult time in America but it instilled in him a strong work ethic, setting life’s goals and never veering from them.  He was raised on the family ranch east of Selfridge and graduated from Fort Yates High School in 1948.  He was a good athlete and he played football, basketball in high school and amateur baseball.

On July 14, 1956, he married Gene Luger and this summer they celebrated their 67^th anniversary.  From this union they had three children, Robert, Lori, and David.

Henry was a hard worker and in 1955 began a career in law enforcement that saw him move up in the ranks from a police officer to retire in 1980 as a criminal investigator.  In addition, he also owned and operated his ranch raising Hereford cattle.  So, from 1966 until his retirement from law enforcement he had two full-time jobs.  He was unselfish and worked hard for his family, because he did everything in his power to ensure his family had a good life.

Henry had many titles in his life and wore many hats. He was a good son, brother, uncle, and husband but his favorite role and one in which he excelled was being a father and grandfather.  As a dad, he was strict but now we realize it was to prepare us for life and help us to make the right decisions on life’s journey.  And today, we thank him.  He loved spending time with his adult children but more importantly his grandchildren.  Because when it came to Grandpas, he was the best.  He attended high school graduations in Florida, Nevada, and Bismarck.  As his kids, we saw a whole new side of him when it came to his grandchildren, whether it was getting on the floor with them, letting them chase him with the water hose, crawling into their forts he certainly was the best.

Henry will be deeply missed by his wife, Gene; sons, Robert (Roxie) and David (Karen) of Bismarck; daughter, Lori (Scott) of Elko, Nevada; sister, Karen Comeau of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren, Daniel (Tia), Rachel (Chris), Jared (Dusty), Christopher (Teryn), Kayla (Billy), Ashley (Isaac), Brooke and Syd; great grandchildren, Kira, Hudson, Emma, Henry, Sage, Bode and Quinn; as well as numerous cousins, too many to mention but know you are in our thoughts and hearts.  Special friends, Jim Molash and Charlie Murphy.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Coral; brother, Ronnie; in-laws, Lawrence and Betty Luger; brothers-in-law, Buck and Mike Luger, Virgil Comeau; sisters-in-law, Elaine Kremers and Arlene Gayton; nephew, Mike Luger; and niece, Annie Gayton.

Dad never said goodbye, he always said, “See you”.

See you, dad.  We love you!

Henry Gayton bulletin