A memorial service for John "Little John" Gaither II was held Aug. 3, 2009, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Killeen. He died July 29 at Temple VA Medical Center at the age of 73.

His cremated remains were to be buried at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, with military honors.

Mr. Gaither was born in Bardstown, Ky., on Jan. 16, 1936, the son of John T. Gaither Sr. and Josephine Lydian Gaither.

He was a member of VFW 9192, where he served as junior vice commander and post chaplain. He also was a member of American Legion Post 582.

Mr. Gaither was captain of the Shuffleboard League that won championships from 2005-09. He had served in the U.S. Army for two years and was a longtime member of Masonic Lodge #242.

Survivors include a former wife, Virginia Gaither, of Lebanon, Ky.; daughters Sharon Gaither and Connie Gaither of Kentucky, and Theresa Hill, of Burlington, N.J.; a brother, Joseph Gaither; and sisters, Elizabeth Kimberland of Bardstown, Ky., and Florence Grove and husband Willie, Shirley Fleming and husband Ulysses, and Mary Moore and husband Joe, all of Killeen.

Other survivors include former wife Wanda Gaither and her two sons, John T. Gaither III and Billy Joe Gaither, all of Killeen.

Mr. Gaither was preceded in death by by two brothers, Robert and William Pennebaker, and by a sister, Beatrice Pennebaker.

SNEED Funeral Chapel

Third & Chestnut • Lampasas

512-556-1183