RICE, Dec. 27 – Thomas Allen Gatlin, 71, of Rice, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2011 in Charlottesville. He was born in New Bern, NC to the late Clarence and Maggie England Gatlin.

He retired from the US Navy after 30 years of service and was an active member of the Farmville Moose Lodge, American Legion and Heart of Virginia Camping group.

Mr. Gatlin is survived by his wife, Dorothy Gatlin; son, Glenn Gatlin; three brothers, Otis Gatlin (LueRhe), Leonard Gatlin (Julia), and Ray Gatlin (Pat) all from North Carolina; step-children, Howard Dame (Polly) of Lexington, Kentucky, Larry Dame (Karen) of Gloucester, and Barbara Gurley (Bill) of Rifle, Colorado; seven step-grandchildren, Amy, Gordon (Sonya), Corinne, Luke, Darin, Katie and Christopher and one step-great-grandchild, Devin. He was preceded in death by a son, Wade Allen Gat-lin.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Puckett Funeral Home, Friday, December 30 at 7 p.m. with visitation from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Farmville Vol. Fire Department, PO Box 241, Farmville, VA 23901.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com