John Henry Gass, age 84 of Ruston, LA passed away peacefully on Monday, June 15, 2026. A funeral mass will be held Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston, LA. Interment will follow at 1:30 PM at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville.
John Henry Gass was born in Brooklyn, NY, and spent most of his childhood in Newark, NJ, and Pine Bush, NY, where he graduated from high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant at Fort Polk, LA. His Army service included several years as an instructor at the U.S. Army Signal School, overseas assignments in Korea and the Netherlands, and a tour of duty in Vietnam. After retiring from military life, he worked for Pitney Bowes and ConAgra.
John was an active parishioner and volunteer at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston for 35 years. He and his wife Sandra enjoyed sightseeing and travel, making the most of the places where life and the Army sent them. He liked spending his time at home working on puzzles, reading, and doing household projects. He loved spending time with family and friends and his weekly coffee group. He was also a member of the VFW and American Legion. He had an optimistic, friendly attitude and was quick to smile.
John was preceded in death by Sandra, his beloved wife of 54 years, and his sisters, Kay and Joan. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Joan Gass; his brother, Lloyd Gass; and his son and daughter-in-law, John and Kathleen.
