November 18, 1940 ~ September 23, 2025 (age 84)
Ethon “Erick” Gaither, Jr. Erick was 84 years old when he passed away in his home in Lanett, AL with Parkinson’s disease which he had had for 23 years. He was born on November 18, 1940, in Lauderdale County, Meridian, MS. Erick was preceded in death by his parents Annie May Ward and Ethon Gaither, Sr., and his son, Ethon Erick (Trey) Gaither, III.
Erick graduated from Auburn University and then went on to have an illustrious career in many different facets. He taught in middle school in DeKalb County, GA for a couple of years. He then decided to go into the retail business with Sears. Erick advanced rapidly up the ladder of success. He was with Sears for 29 years. When Sears offered a buyout, Erick took it and had plans to retire. But, as fate would have it, his best friend, John Temple, who was the COO of Business and Finance at Emory University, talked him into coming to work with him. The time at Emory was 17 years. Erick’s work ethic was exemplary.
Erick’s hobbies and interests were golfing, tennis, and boating. His greatest pleasure was being on the water. And, of course, fishing was another big pastime and extreme pleasure. Everyone enjoyed his quick wit and personality. He always had everyone laughing and he never met a stranger. Erick was a true southern gentleman who loved life, his family, and his many friends. He will be greatly missed.
Erick is survived by his lovely wife of 63 years, Sandra Kay Gaither, who was his high school sweetheart at Auburn High School. He and Sandra had two children, a son, Trey (deceased), and a daughter, Jan. Jan and her husband, Woody Conger, provided wonderful helping care for Erick in his later years with his Parkinson’s.
Grandsons, Benjamin (Jackie) Blanton and Russell (Camara) Gaither, were the apple of his eye. And his step granddaughter, Katherine (Mack) James, was a delightful addition to the two grandsons. Great grandchildren are Zuri Gaither, Emma Blanton, Grace Blanton, Cora James, and Gary James. Erick is also survived by his sister and only sibling, Anne Gaither (Johnny) Ross; his sister-in-law, Susan Crawford; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Sonny and Joan Moreman; and lots of nieces and nephews and cousins, too numerous to name.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation go to Gentiva Hospice.
To honor Erick, a memorial service will be held Friday, October 3rd, 2025, at 1:00 PM (EDT) at First Baptist Church Lanett at 701 S 6th Street, Lanett, AL 36863. In lieu of flowers you may choose to make a donation to Parkinson’s Foundation or your favorite charity.
Please visit Erick’s Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Erick, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.
