Retired First Sergeant, Henry A. Gatewood Jr., 84, passed away the morning of Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at Labette Health in Parsons.
Henry Arthur Gatewood was born on July 6, 1941, to Henry and Maxine Laura Lee (Darkis) Gatewood in Parsons. While growing up in Parsons, he attended Douglass School and graduated from Parsons West High School. After graduating from Parsons Junior College, now known as Labette Community College, he entered basic training for the United States Army at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Next, he began advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
His stateside assignments as an Army advisor with the 875th Combat Engineer Battalion were: Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Capp, Pennsylvania; West Point, New York; and Jonesboro, Arkansas.
While serving, he also had many overseas assignments, including two tours in Germany, and tours in Panama, Nicaragua, Korea, and Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 919th Engineer Company, and fourth platoon.
Henry had a very successful and highly decorated military career. He received the following awards: the Silver Star; the Bronze Star; the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster — meaning that he received the award multiple times; a Meritorious Service medal with oak leaf clusters; an Army Commendation medal with oak leaf clusters; the Arkansas Commendation medal; an Army achievement medal; a Good Conduct medal multiple times; a National Defense Service medal; a Korean Service medal; a Vietnam Service medal with three Bronze Stars, Campaign TET 69 counteroffensive Vietnam summer/ fall 69/ Vietnam winter-spring 70; a Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, 3rd Level; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm; President Unit Citation; Imjin Scout Badge; Jungle Expert Badge; Driver-Mechanic Badge; and an Expert/Sharp Shooter Badge Small Arms.
While in the military, his duty positions included combat engineer, squad leader, platoon sergeant, drill sergeant, Army advisor, intelligence sergeant, instructor, and first sergeant.
Henry retired from the Army on Dec. 1, 1985, after 25 years of active duty.
After retirement, he worked at Southland Care Center in Fayetteville, Missouri, until 1990. He then worked at Kemper Military School and College in Booneville, Missouri, from 1990-1999. Next, he worked at the Labette County Correctional Camp in Oswego in a variety of positions, including as a drill corporal, a disciplinary non-commissioned officer, and a work sergeant. In addition, he taught classes to staff and inmates until the camp closed.
Henry was an active member of Hamilton Chapel in Parsons. For the last several years, Henry had served as a trustee of Brown Bishop VFW Post 704 in Parsons and as third district commander in the state of Kansas VFW. In October 2017, he was inducted into the Kemper Military School and College Alumni Association Hall of Fame. He was recognized for his military service and his service to the local community with a LCC Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018. In 2025, Henry and First Sergeant Charles Slone were appointed colonels in the Kemper Corps of Cadets – the only two non-cadets to receive the award.
His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed sports, cruising, and traveling to reunions with family and his fellow military veterans.
On July 5, 1974, Henry and Martha S. (Cason) Sheley were united in marriage in Alexandria, Virginia. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include: Four children, U.S. Army Retired Howard D. Sheley (Marie-Anne) of Colorado, Springs, Colorado; Henry A. Gatewood III (Gidgette) of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Marvin L. Sheley of Columbia, Missouri; Adonus Stewart (Kenneth) of Lake Charles, Louisiana; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his siblings, Charles Gatewood, James Gatewood (Peggy), Emmett Gatewood, and Shawnell Reece (Michael) all of Parsons, Kansas; Maurice Gatewood (Katie) of Wichita, Kansas; Debra Sanchez and Marva Cullom of Olathe, Kansas; and Richard Gatewood.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Julie Robertson; and his brother, Larry Gatewood.
The funeral service with full military honors will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15. at Brown-Bishop, VFW Post 704, 105 Main, Parsons. The family will receive friends from noon until the service begins at the VFW.
Memorials are suggested to Brown-Bishop, VFW Post 704. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
