Stephen Gachus 82 of Pelican Bay Drive Daytona Beach went home to rest unexpectedly to be with the Lord Friday August 17 2007. Born in Watervliet NY Stephen was the youngest son of the late John and Anna Murga Gachus. Stephen was a US retired Command Sgt. Major with over thirty years of active duty in which much of his career was spent stationed in Germany Korea Vietnam and Panama. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Stephen's main hobby was traveling. He has traveled all around the world and was very knowledgeable.

Many years ago career army personnel were criticized ridiculed and called "LIFERS" in an insulting manner. Stephen Gachus accepted that as a positive and lived his life by the virtues of a "LIFER" which include:
L - Loyalty - Faithful to country and family.
I - Integrity - Moral upright honest and sincere.
F - Fidelity - Faithful devoted to duty country family and vows.
E - Esprit - Proud honor to army country and family.
R - Responsibility - Accountable to duty family obligations.
As General McArthur said "Old soldiers never die. They just fade away."

Mr. Gachus was a devoted and dedicated individual and as an especially honorable husband will be greatly missed by his devoted wife Kristin Atkins Gachus. Besides his parents he was predeceased by brothers Andrew Gachus George Gachus Michael Gachus and John Gatus and sisters Anna Allen Julia Gelita Pauline Kastyk Olga Cusack and Helen Gaj. Survivors include many nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Eva Gatos.

There will be a memorial service on Friday August 24th at 4:00pm at Lohman Funeral Home Daytona. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Basil's Orthodox Church 38 Archabald St. Watervliet NY 12189.

Condolences can be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Daytona.