Gary Lathum

SIKESTON, Mo. — Carl Gary Lathum, 66, of Sikeston died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at the Chaffee Nursing Center.

He was born Oct. 4, 1942, in Sikeston, son of Ezra and Maxine Daugherty Lathum. He and Sharon Wright of Oran, Mo., were married May 15, 1962.

Gary graduated from Sikeston High School and attended three years at Southeast Missouri State University. During this time, he worked for Rex Lambert at Lambert's Fabrics in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Sikeston, where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday school for many years.

In 1962, he was employed by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Trenton, Tenn., as a field representative for four years. Returning to Missouri, he became manager for Hogan's Farm & Chemical Supply stores in East Prairie, Charleston and New Madrid. After working there for 19 years, he was an employee of Dixon & Brown in Sikeston until his retirement.

He is survived by his mother of Sikeston; two sons, Gary Lathum of Cape Girardeau and Gregry Lathum of Scott City; six grandchildren; four brothers, Larry Lathum of Dedham, Mass., Laddie Lathum of Kentucky Lake, Ky., Max Lathum of Bakersfield, Calif., Paul Lathum of Herculaneum, Mo.; and a sister, Sheila Kersey of Nashville, Tenn.

There are no public services. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City was in charge of arrangements.