Obituary of Reginald Dewayne Gaston Sr.

Reginald DeWayne Gaston was born on January 5th 1960 in Los Angeles CA to the proud parents of Willie Arthur Gaston (Petty Officer 3rd Class US Navy) and Terry Jean Hunter. He was a beautiful boy with golden brown hair and to this union, two children were born. Early in his life, Reggie moved with his mother and older sister Veda to Modesto CA where his mother met and married Gilbert DeSoto and had two more children, Craig and Kimberly. As a child, Reggie often spent time with his elderly great Aunt Lucille. Through her, he was introduced to Jesus Christ at an early age and would travel with her to Church events and musicals in the area. This special bond lasted a lifetime. Reggie would sometimes help his mother out by sitting with his great grandmother Gladys Skipper and assist with her care as needed. Reggie also really enjoyed speeding around Modesto with his great Uncle Emory in Lucille’s Blue and White Cadillac. Summers in Modesto were very hot and Reggie really loved playing and swimming with his siblings and Cousins in the public pools, irrigated fields and local canals. Never one to start a fight, Reggie once pinned down a neighborhood boy and held him there until he gave up trying to fight Reggie and promised to leave him alone. Reggie, always the bigger, stronger kid in the group, was always the one with the biggest heart to match. He was a very protective, loving brother whose kindness sometimes got taken for weakness. After the family relocated to Milpitas CA in 1972, Reggie attended local schools there where he sang in the Choir at Thomas Russell Jr High and played Little League baseball. He completed his education at Independence High School in San Jose CA. Reggie loved to eat and he loved his mother’s good cooking. He especially loved her white cake with coconut frosting. Every year for his birthday, he would ask for that white cake. He also loved his motorcycle. He took pride in the work he put in on that bike. It was the one thing he told his brother Craig not to touch. Never one to listen, Craig rode off on it when Reggie was away and crashed the bike into a parked car. Luckily, Craig survived… Reggie. On March 8, 1978, 17 year old Reggie met 16 year old Cynthia Kelly at Milpitas High School. In between class, Cynthia spotted Reggie’s long stride moving across the campus. On a dare, she called him over. He approached in his famous green wool suit, asked her name and she said she didn’t talk to guys who wear sunglasses and she can’t see their eyes, so Reggie whipped them off and asked her again. From that moment on, she was hooked on his gorgeous eyes and huge smile. March 8th became their Anniversary date. Reggie loved Jazz music and often took Cynthia to Oakland to various clubs to listen to the different artists. One of his favorite places to take Cynthia was Pier 39 where they would walk around and window shop. Reggie also loved the ocean and they would go to places like Santa Cruz and Carmel to just sit on the beach and enjoy each other’s company. One time in Santa Cruz, Reggie tried really hard at a carnival game to win a stuffed buffalo for Cynthia. Try as he might, he couldn’t win one. A few minutes after Cynthia walked away, Reggie came up to her with that buffalo in hand. He paid the guy for it because he wanted her to have it that much. “Fredrick” the buffalo was their “first child.” Reggie was very much a romantic soul. After starting out their journey together at such a young age, their relationship hit a rough patch and during a brief separation, Reggie fathered a daughter, Tiffany whom he absolutely adored. Every time Tiffany came to town, they would be inseparable, even if it were for just a few hours. Reggie, Cynthia and their 4 children moved to Oroville CA in 1989 where they continued to build their family of 6 into 12 with the addition of 6 more sons. Reggie was a hard worker who was employed over 25 years as a laborer and instilled this work ethic into his children. Reggie was tough but loving and he led the house with a big belt…and laughter. Reggie’s nurturing concern mixed with strictness was out of a desire to see his children succeed in life. He was a protector who made his family feel safe and he raised his kids to be strong, intelligent adults able to conquer whatever obstacles they may face. Reggie loved life and family and he was most often seen with that huge, infectious smile on his face. He loved to laugh but couldn’t tell a joke. He loved to dance but had no rhythm. He loved to travel, but would never get on a plane. Loved to eat and loved to cook. As much as he loved, Reggie had a temper that could be just as strong. When angry, he would either shut down, take the loss and be silent or, he’d take it out on the furniture. This is the same man who would cry during the movie “The Color Purple.” Reggie was a generous man and would give his last dollar or food from his own cabinets to someone in need. Everyone he met was his friend, and he was faithful to a fault. Reggie was not without his struggles. Addiction doesn’t care how loving and generous you are. Through it all, he fought hard with the support of family encouraging his success. In his search for self-discipline, Reggie reconnected to his faith. Reggie was introduced to the #1 Church of God In Christ in Oroville CA. There he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the year 2000 and served faithfully as an Usher and Deacon. Reggie studied the Bible front to back and could quote it scripture and verse. Whatever he did, if he was in, he was all in. Later, after joining Taylor Memorial CME Church in Oroville CA, Reggie served as Usher, Choir Member, Trustee and he sometimes preached messages on 4th Sundays! Reggie knew the Lord, was loved by Him and is with Him now in Paradise. Reggie is preceded in death by his father Willie Arthur Gaston, step-father Gilbert DeSoto Jr., son Anthony LeJon Gaston, brother Gilbert DeSoto III, grand-daughter Ameirah Lynn Reginae Gaston, and niece Precious Marie Hayes. Reggie leaves to cherish his memory; the love of his life Cynthia Kelly, children Jemale DeWayne, Tiffany Ann Chantill, Jeneice Capri, Jason Michael, Reginald DeWayne Jr. (Lacy), Sean Lorenz, Joshua David, Jeremy Arthur, Joseph William and Christopher Allen, his mother Terry DeSoto, siblings Veda Gaston, Craig DeSoto, and Kimberly DeSoto, Sister in Love Dena Bell, Brothers in Love David Bell and Daryll Bell, Mother in Love Odessa Bell, Twenty-Three Grandchildren, 2 Great Grand Children and a multitude of relatives including Aunts, Uncles, Cousin, Nieces, Nephews, friends, co-workers and acquaintances. He never met a person he didn’t call Friend. Reggie will be missed and warmly remembered by all who know and love him. His Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 12:00 PM at Taylor Memorial Church, 1957 B Street Oroville, California. Arrangements are entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.