Lt. Col. James Stephen Gaston (89) of Leesburg, Virginia died June 9, 2026 of natural causes. He was predeceased by the love of his life and sweetheart wife of 55 years, the former Bobbie Jo Fox of Wichita Falls, Texas. Born on September 2, 1936, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Lt. Col. Gaston was the son of the late James C. and Sara M. Gaston. He was a 1959 graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he served as president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and received his commission as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

His active duty assignments spanned bases across Europe and throughout the United States, with the majority of his career dedicated to the Strategic Air Command (SAC). He served as a Launch Crew Member on the Jupiter Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) in Italy and as a Missile Combat Crew Commander on the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Following two assignments as a Plans Officer at Headquarters SAC, his final assignment with the command was a Project Officer developing Space Shuttle Ground facilities at Vandenberg AFB, California. He retired from the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in July, 1981. His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), two awards of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (AFMSM), and several awards of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). Following his military retirement, Lt. Col. Gaston worked as a defense contractor for the Navy, the State Department, and an intelligence agency. He was a dedicated leader in the Boy Scouts of America and was exceptionally proud that both of his sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. An avid outdoorsman and a lifelong student of military history, he spent his second retirement enjoying international travel - most notably returning to Rome, Italy, where he and his wife were married in 1961. Lt. Col. Gaston is survived by his two sons James (Anne) and Mark (Christy) and his four grandchildren, Kimberly, Sarah, Michael, and John Paul.

A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, located at 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE Leesburg, VA 20176. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, June 18th at 1:00pm at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 55 Oakcrest Manor Drive NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. Graveside services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made to Homes For Our Troops and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.