Charles Gatton Sr.

Charles Gatton, Sr. was born on June 16, 1916, in Bremen, Kentucky, to Harry W. and Edith M. Gatton. Charles attended the University of Kentucky School of Agriculture and graduated in 1938. After graduation, he taught vocational agriculture and provided veterans training for five years in Hancock County. He dedicated many years of his life to taking care of his family’s farm.

During this time, his idea of creating a ham business was born. In 1959, his younger brother Bill convinced him to start the business in earnest. The brothers named the company Father’s Country Ham in tribute to their father Harry Gatton, Sr. The business was a hit, earning Charles many champion awards for his country ham and features in many national publications. The Father’s Country Hams and Gourmet Foods business is now run by his son, Charles Gatton, Jr.

Charles left a legacy of achievements, both business and humanitarian. He was an esteemed member of the Muhlenberg County community where he served on the Muhlenberg County School Board for 22 years. He was an active member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bremen. He was also a member of the Scoville Society, a member of the Bremen Lions Club, a lifetime member of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Alumni Association, and a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

He was married to Lorene Carr Gatton, and the two had three children: Charles Gatton Jr., Suzanne Gatton, and Charlotte Gatton Cobun. Charles and Lorene were married for 60 years before his passing on June 3, 2000.

To honor his memory, Bill established the Charles Gatton, Sr. Scholarship Fund in 2000. The fund assists deserving freshmen WKU students from McLean and Muhlenberg Counties who have a 3.2 GPA or higher, an ACT score of at least 25, and are in the top 15% of their graduating class. Through this fund, Charles’ legacy lives on in perpetuity.