Raymond Gachot

Raymond Charles Gachot,(Babe) 92, of Little Rock passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021. He was born May 30, 1929 in Little Rock, Arkansas ( Forche Dam area) to Joseph Gachot and Edna McGrew. He was a member of Calvary Church of the Nazarene.

He is survived by his children Dara Harmon, Sharon Norris, and Shannon Gachot-Ridgley (Andy); grandchildren Shayla, Kellie, Clayton, Jacob and Brianne, sisters Barbra Holderfield, Carolyn Wells; 8 great grandchildren; and other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Twila; his parents; son, Jerry Bahm, and 5 siblings.

Pallbearers include: Philip Holderfield, Andy Ridgley, Clayton Norris, Robbey Stinnett, and Austin Hawley

Honorary Pallbearer: Jacob Ridgley

Memorials may be made to Friendly Chapel Church, 116 S Pine St, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114.

But that doesn’t start to tell all of his story; His life began in 1929, Forche Dam in the middle of what is now the airport.Raymond was an easy going, fun loving boy with a good heart and a quick wit. His Favorite color was blue, his favorite meal was roast and potatoes, his favorite dessert was homemade banana pudding.  He bleed Razorback red and was a faithful fan through wins and loses, “their going to get better” he would say whenever the team was having a bad year.After settling into what would be his forever home you would often find Raymond working in his yard, a glass of sweet ice tea nearby with lemon. Early in his marriage to Twila, whom he adored, they lived in California for several years, that is where their two oldest daughters were born. When moving back to Arkansas, by the way he couldn’t way to get back to Arkansas, he missed home and was an Arkansas boy through and through, he started working for Dixon Dairy and later Coleman Diary where he worked for 40 years and retired, never missing a day’s work.Many may not know that he was also a volunteer fireman for Pulaski County.  After retiring from Coleman Dairy he quickly looked for another job, he said “if you stop working and start sitting around in a rocker chair you die too soon” . Raymond loved life! He started driving a special needs bus for the Pulaski county School District and retired from there after 20 years.  The children that he carefully transported loved him, much like everyone that ever knew him. He was funny, a big jokester, kind and a hard worker, a man that exemplified integrity, but did so in the most humble, genuine way. He did not judge others and looked at life from a very positive perspective. That is all part of who the man was, but what defined him was his faith. He accepted Jesus Christ into his heart in 1960 at University Park Church of the Nazarene and serving the Lord became his mission. He was on the church board, served several terms as Sunday school superintendent, head usher, church lawn mower, greeter or whatever else the church family needed and God called him to do.

His favorite scripture was Philippians 4:6, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Like all of Raymond’s philosophies and advice, he lived it himself. He was an exceptional man, husband, father,  grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and servant of the Lord. Surely he has already heard, “well done my good and faithful servant”. He never met a stranger and made everyone he talked to feel comfortable. Raymond was called by many names, Babe,  Daddy, Paw, Pawsie, Papa Moose, other terms of endearment. He is loved by many and will be missed greatly. The world is a little less kind with him gone. The good news and the news Raymond would want us all to understand is there is life beyond this one.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that. I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 NIV.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at 1:00 PM at Forest Hills Memorial Park.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home , 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.--