Gattis
James Harold Gattis, 68, died at home on May 30th, 2018 after a long struggle with illness. James is survived by his wife, Grace Gattis, his children, Tommy Gattis, Tammy Gattis Taylor (Craig), and Jimmy Ray Gattis (Katrina), and one grandson, Gregory Sean Walker, Jr. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda Sibley (Billy) and Peggy Proctor and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, James Thomas and Eva Jane Hancock Gattis, and his siblings, Thomas Gattis, Albert Lee Gattis, Danny Gattis, and Janice Gattis Self.
James was a fun, caring jokester, who loved being around his friends and family. Those close to him understood his quirkiness and knew he would offer the world to them if he could. He was an avid storyteller and could entertain the room for hours on end. He was never at a loss for words and you always knew where you stood with him. James was a passionate renegade for whom rules were arbitrary. He always enjoyed being right!
James was a Master Mason with the Thunderbolt Lodge, an achievement he was very proud of. He took pride in his work and gave everything one hundred percent. He was very hands-on, and could always tell you how to fix something, right or wrong. He enjoyed coming up with solutions for life’s problems.
James loved to express himself creatively through music and ideas. He attended the Midtown Pickers jam sessions at the Coffee Deli. James had a creative imagination and often wondered about the endless possibilities of life and space. He loved the earth sciences, especially geology. Those who knew James understood his passion for rocks and gemstones.
James appreciated the simple things in life, such as fishing, fellowship, and friendship. Though he loved a good home cooked meal, his favorite foods were cookies, jelly beans, and candy. He was thoughtful and knew the value of recognizing and honoring special occasions, never forgetting a birthday or anniversary.
Until the end, he followed his heart when making decisions… for better or for worse.
A private memorial will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Masonic Home of Georgia.
