Raymond "Ray" Travis Gatwood, 90, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at his home in Slidell.

Ray was born September 22, 1932, in Pensacola, Florida, to Ethel and Millard Gatwood. He was a United States Air Force veteran and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers LU505 in Mobile, Alabama. In August 1956, he married Betty Wakeland in Mobile. In 1963, the couple moved to Slidell, where they founded Gatwood Electric, Inc.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca Lynn Poole; a brother, Millard Gatwood; and a sister, Helen Wall.

Ray is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty W. Gatwood; three children, Michael Ray Gatwood (Ella), Julie Gatwood McKeever (Neil), and Mark Randall Gatwood; six grandchildren, Jason Travis Faciane (Brina); Michael Sonny Gatwood, Austin Andrew Gatwood, Grant Waller McKeever, Abigail Rebecca McKeever Erskine (Cody); and Erin Elizabeth McKeever; and a sister, Evelyn Newberry.

Ray was a faithful member of Maranatha Fellowship for 38 years, and taught Sunday School and served on the Pastor's Council for many of those years.

Funeral services will be held at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Boulevard West, Slidell, Louisiana 70460 , on Monday, May 22, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by funeral services at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be in Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell .