Alton “Wayne” Gathright

Alton “Wayne” Gathright, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and longtime resident of Maumelle, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock following a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. Born on January 5, 1945, he was the beloved son of Halsie Jane (Chilton) Gathright of Birch Tree, Missouri, and Herman Keele Gathright of Huttig, Arkansas.

Wayne is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Isabel Singer Gathright; their daughter Leslie Renee Masson and her husband Sandy of Devon, Pennsylvania; and their son Jason Wayne Gathright and his wife Barbi (Harrison) of Prairieville, Louisiana. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Alasdair Masson of New Orleans, Louisiana; Douglas and Caroline Masson of Devon, Pennsylvania; and Sara “Reese” and Harrison “Reed” Gathright of Prairieville, Louisiana. He is also survived by his nieces Gail (Gathright) Hines of Austin, Texas; Kathleen (Richard) Callahan of Baton Rouge; Donna (Richard) Rainone of Palestine, Texas; Kelly (Richard) Brown of New Orleans; his nephew Reid Richard of Baton Rouge; and his cherished cousin Frank Harrison of Lafayette, Louisiana.

A 1962 graduate of Istrouma High School, Wayne attended LSU and later graduated from Northwestern Louisiana University in Natchitoches. His lifelong passion for aviation led him to train aspiring pilots both in the air and in the classroom, an experience that shaped his enduring love of mentoring others. He began his career at the ESSO Oil Refinery in Baton Rouge as a meter and instrument technician before joining Moore Products Company, where he built a distinguished 30-year career in engineering sales and management. He led offices in both New Orleans and Little Rock, guiding teams through the growth of the oil, gas, and pulp and paper industries, and continued his service with Siemens Energy and Automation until his retirement in 2004. Wayne deeply valued the relationships he formed with colleagues and customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Raised Methodist, Wayne became Catholic while raising his family. He was known for his honesty, integrity, loyalty, and compassion, quietly practicing daily kindness by keeping envelopes of money and handwritten notes such as “You are loved” or “Something to cheer you” in his car to give to those in need. A Stage 4 cancer survivor himself, he was a dedicated supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Wayne embraced life with enthusiasm, finding joy in flying, golfing, traveling, RVing with his wife and grandchildren, cruising with friends, meeting new people, and tackling projects around the house. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all whose lives he touched.