John “Johnny” Oscar Gatton Sr., 83, of Hollywood, Maryland, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home.
Johnny was born on February 10, 1943, at his family home in Hollywood, Maryland, to William Raymond and Ruth Evelyn Gatton. He was one of six children and brother to two adopted siblings. Johnny attended Leonardtown High School on Duke Street. At the age of 15, in 1959, his father withdrew him from high school and enrolled him in the Maryland Barber School in Baltimore, Maryland. After completing barber school, Johnny re-enrolled himself in high school in 1960 with little encouragement from his parents and proudly graduated from Leonardtown High School in 1962.
From 1960 through 1970, Johnny worked alongside his father in the family barber shop located in Sandy Bottom, which housed only two barber chairs and four waiting chairs. In 1963, he began working at the Navy Exchange Barber Shop at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. In 1971, Johnny opened Gatton’s Barber Shop, which still stands today on Hollywood Road. While continuing his work at the Navy Exchange, he split his time between both shops until 1981, when he left the Navy Exchange to devote himself full-time to Gatton’s Barber Shop.
In 1960, against his parents’ wishes, Johnny joined the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. While operating on a fireground in 1961, he met the love of his life, Leone. The two married in 1964 at the Hollywood Church of the Nazarene and later welcomed two children, John Jr. and Kimberly.
Both John Jr. and Kimberly earned their barber licenses and worked alongside their father for many years until Johnny retired on June 1, 2023, after an incredible 64 years behind the barber chair. Johnny mastered the most important skill of being a barber: listening. There wasn’t a county secret that wasn’t discussed at Gatton’s Barber Shop, but one thing was for certain that those secrets did not leave. Through those conversations, Johnny built lasting friendships and relationships with countless people from all walks of life, including deputies, state troopers, Navy admirals, county commissioners, congressmen, and delegates.
In addition to his work behind the barber chair, Johnny proudly served as a board member of the Maryland State Board of Barber Examiners for 31½ years, serving under five Maryland governors while helping guide and uphold the standards of the barbering profession throughout the state of Maryland. 25 years of his dedication to the Barber Board were served as their president.
Throughout his 65 years of dedicated service to the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, Johnny served in many leadership roles including President, Vice President, Secretary, Chaplain, and Lieutenant. He received his Life Member recognition in 1986 and remained an active member, serving as chairman on numerous committees. Johnny also served as a delegate representing HVFD for 54 years with both the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SMVFA) and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA), holding many positions at both levels throughout his years of service. In 1986, Johnny joined the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad and earned his Maryland First Responder certification. During his time with the Rescue Squad, he served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Board Director. He received Life Member status in 2001 and was honored many times as Member of the Year in recognition of his unwavering dedication and service.
Johnny’s faith was a guiding force throughout his life. He was devoted to his church communities and faithfully supported Hollywood United Methodist Church, Hollywood Church of the Nazarene, and Leonardtown Church of the Nazarene over the years. His commitment to faith, fellowship, and service to others reflected the values by which he lived each day.
Outside of his service to the community, Johnny was an avid patch collector. Beginning in the early 1970s, he built a remarkable collection of police, fire, and EMS patches. There wasn’t a patch that he had not seen before.
Johnny was also deeply involved in Freemasonry. He was a member of the Thomas J. Shryock Masonic Lodge #223 AF & AM with 50 years of service; a charter member and Honorary Past Master of the St. Florian 9-1-1 Masonic Lodge #238; a member of the Boumi Temple Shriners for 50 years; a member and past Board Director of the Boumi Temple Shriners PaPoPeake Club; and he attained his 32nd Degree in Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
Johnny’s life was defined by service, dedication, hard work, faith, and loyalty to his family and community. His impact on Southern Maryland through barbering, fire and EMS service, Freemasonry, and his church communities will never be forgotten.
Johnny is survived by his wife of 62 years, Leone Scully Gatton; brothers Donnie (Kim) and Jerry; two children, John Gatton Jr (Susan) and Kimberly Gatton Sullivan (Michael); grandchildren Danielle Sullivan, Jason Sullivan, Brooke Gatton, Bryan Owens and Ashley Owens (Justin); and three great-grandchildren Liam, Carson and Addison. He is predeceased by his parents, Willam and Ruth; sister, Bettie Kellogg and husband, Ray; brother Billy and wife, Mary Jean; brothers Charlie, Jimmy, and Ray.
Family will receive friends for a visitation on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 3:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. with a Fireman’s Prayer Service beginning at 7:00p.m. at Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, 24801 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 11:00a.m. at Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. Interment will immediately follow at Joy Chapel Cemetery, 44260 Joy Chapel Rd. Hollywood, MD 20636.
Pallbearers will be the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Honor Guard, Jason Sullivan, Bill Mattingly, Donald Gatton Sr., Daniel Gatton Jr., David Gatton, John Vanhoy, and Jeffery Jones.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Thomas J. Shryock Lodge #223.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s (P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650), Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department (P.O. Box 7 Hollywood, MD 20636), Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad (P.O. Box 79 Hollywood, MD 20636), or Hollywood United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 100 Hollywood, MD 20636)
Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.