Kent Langhorne Gatling

kent gatling

January 21, 1949 ~ January 5, 2025

Born in: New York City, NY
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Kent Langhorne Gatling, 75, died on January 5, 2025, in Asheville, NC from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a complication of multiple myeloma.

Kent was born on January 21, 1949, in New York City. He was the son of Norborne Pescud Gatling and Helen Field Gatling of Pleasantville, NY. He graduated from The Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, PA and from Ripon College in Ripon, WI and received an MAT from the University of Chicago. He began his career at HeadStart, then taught secondary school at Wilbraham-Monson Academy in Wilbraham, MA and served as a teacher and administrator with the Mt. Anthony Supervisory Union in Bennington, VT.

He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Anne Conklin Gatling of Candler, NC; his son and daughter-in-law, Joshua Field Gatling and Erin Pryor of Gorham, ME; his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Gatling McCall and Chasen McCall of Stuart, FL; his granddaughters, Finley and Grace McCall; his sister, Melissa Buhler of Tampa, FL, and his nephews, Philip Kaufmann of Los Angeles, CA and Toby Kaufmann-Buhler of Lafayette, IN.

His life was enriched so much by his love of bicycling and of exploring the country on two wheels, over many thousands of kilometers. Before moving to the Asheville area in 2019, he lived for 30 years in Bennington, VT and then for 15 years in Bend, OR. He has been planning his final trip and invites all to join him somewhere along the way, the route yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in his memory to World Bicycle Relief (worldbicyclerelief.org).

Groce Funeral Home of Asheville, NC is assisting the family.

Services

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Anne and family, I am so sorry to hear of Kent’s passing. I truly enjoyed the many bicycle rides we did in the Bennington and Cambridge area. He was the “go to person” when it came to mapping out our weekend rides. May the wind always be at his back.
    Keith Martin

  2. Anne, Sarah and Josh,
    We are so sad to hear the news of Kent.
    We have so many fond memories of time spent with your family and have often thought of you.
    You are all in our thoughts and prayers as we reflect on Kent and remember the kind soul he was.
    Anne, sending you the biggest hug as I know the love you shared with Kent and can’t imagine your pain at this time.
    Much love to you all,
    Donny and Kim Wassick

  3. Dear Anne,
    I have good memories of Kent at the junior high/middle school, and then getting to meet you with BPI, and discovering Kent’s involvement with that special organization, too.
    I recall him telling me about Miss Ima Flirte- he knew my introduction to her was yet to come! We had a good laugh about that.
    He was a great guy, who cared about people. You and your family are in my prayers.
    Sincerely,
    Pam Santarcangelo

  4. Dear Anne, Josh and Sarah, I have such wonderful memories of spending time with your family. Kent was such a joy to talk to and so passionate about his family and the children of Bennington. I’m sending much love and hugs.

  5. I’m so sorry to hear of Kent’s passing. His name conjures up memories of an administrator who supported his teachers when it wasn’t always the popular choice. I admired him for his thoughtfulness, individuality, clear thinking, and willingness to follow what he believed to be the best course of action. I liked Kent as the person he was.

  6. Anne, we are so sorry to hear of Kent’s passing. We have fond memories of many rides with him in Central Oregon. He always had a smile for everyone. He was a lovely man. He always called me the little English woman, I’ll never forget that. The last few years you were here we enjoyed bumping into you at the restaraunt I can’t remember the name of. Our condolences to you and your family. Take care

  7. Anne, Josh and Sarah
    We are so sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    We always enjoyed the bike rides with Kent in Bend over the years while in Central Oregon. Shenanigans galore with a fun group of friends.
    Rod & I went for a ride Sunday in Southern Utah (where we now reside) and thought of him often.

  8. Anne, Josh and Sarah,
    Kent was such a caring person, as well as you, Anne. Working with him was a gift—intelligent, funny. So sorry that we had lost touch when you moved from Bend. We are still in Trout Lake. A piece of me is brokenwill always remember how both of you helped me through a rough divorce.
    I know Kent will be cracking jokes wherever he is.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide