Obit: Upton, Gavin Ray (1930 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Upton, Austin, Sollberger, Coblentz, Garbers

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 12/10/2014

Upton, Gavin Ray (16 December 1930 - 28 November 2014)

Gavin Ray Upton, 83, of Cross Plains passed away Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, at Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg.

Gavin was born Dec. 16, 1930, in Black River Falls to Arthur and Dorothy (Austin) Upton. He attended Black River High School and graduated from the Wisconsin State Teachers College-Milwaukee WUWM. He was united in marriage with Helen Sollberger of Neillsville Dec. 25, 1951, at the United Methodist Church of Black River Falls.

Gain taught the music arts of concert, orchestra, parade marching and more as band director in the school districts of Melrose, Neillsville and Black River Falls. He later enjoyed successful careers in life insurance sales and as a stockbroker in Madison. In retirement, he volunteered at the local VFW, playing taps at veteran’s funerals.

Gavin loved to sing. An early hobby was singing with the barbershop quartet in Black River Falls. He earned his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying, skiing and his red Reatta sports car. For many years, Gavin and Helen enjoyed traveling and their winter home in Naples, FL.

Gavin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen, of Cross Plains; his daughter, Deborah (Kenneth) Coblentz, of Adell, WI; and a son Dean (Jean) Upton of Madison. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Nathan (Tammy) Coblentz of Neillsville, Benjamin Coblentz of Madison, Jennifer (William) Garbers of La Crescent, MN, and Shawn (Amanda) Upton of Brookfield; great-grandson Mason Coblentz; brother, Ronald (Barbara) Upton of Mineral Wells, TX; brother-in-law Leonard Sollberger of Neillsville; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Gavin was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Allan.

A private family gathering and service was held Nov. 30, 2014, at Agrace Hospice Chapel.