Walt Gupton 1939-2025
Walt Gupton grew up in the country in Warren County, North Carolina, just four miles from the Virginia state line. He was the youngest of seven with five older sisters and an older brother.
Walt’s father was in the U.S. Navy in World War II. It became his dream to follow in his father’s footsteps. He joined the Navy when he was 17 and left North Carolina for the first time headed for Great Lakes, Illinois, for his basic training. When handed his assignments, the superior officer announced, “Walt Gupton, the luckiest guy in the world: Long Beach, California.”
As Walt traveled to California, he came over the hill in the red car and at his first glimpse of Long Beach said to himself, “this is going to be my home.”
He met his first wife, Barbara, as he gave her and her friends a tour of the LSD he was stationed on. A few years later, they were married.
Walt joined the Long Beach Fire Department in 1968. During his time in the fire department, Walt developed the Emergency Preparedness Program for Long Beach and was given the assignment to research and develop a paramedic run in Long Beach. He later served as the paramedic coordinator for several years.
Walt and Barbara’s passion was camping and fishing. Barbara became ill with cancer and passed on at the young age of 49.
As time went on, Walt and Kathy met and were married at All Saints Episcopal Church on Dec. 9, 1989. Walt enjoyed his new role as Dad to stepsons Sean and Jim. He was delighted to add roles as Papa when grandchildren Brittany, Caitlin and Cullen came along. They became members of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in 1993 where Walt has served as senior warden, LEM, lector, LEV, and led the youth acolytes for 15 years.
Walt’s last assignment in the fire department was fire marshal of the Long Beach Harbor. After retiring, he enjoyed being a househusband. Many friends told Kathy she was spoiled and she was the first to agree. In their free time, Walt and Kathy loved traveling all 50 states, taking cruises, visiting European countries and taking in the sights.
In the mid 1990s, Walt served for a time as a security guard, followed by fire marshal in Leisure World.
Walt loved spending his time golfing with friends, following the Dodgers, and reading. He managed to read biographies of all the presidents from George Washington, on.
Walt was blessed with a friendly and outgoing personality. He was sincere in making people feel valued, heard and important. He had a kind word for everyone he passed, leaving a smile on their face. Walt loved life to its fullest. Two of his favorite sayings were “Life is a piece of cake,” and “Life is a walk in the park.”
Walt passed on from complications from Parkinson’s on Nov. 13, 2025. He experienced joy in living the life God gave him to live and his wife, Kathy, is sure he is experiencing a greater joy in heaven now.
Walt is survived by his wife, Kathy Gupton of 36 years, sister-in-law Gloria Hadley, brother-in-law Greg Reaume, sister Frances Bolton, sons Sean and Jim, daughter-in-law Ingrid, grandchildren Brittany, Caitlin and Cullen, and many nieces and nephews.
—paid obituary
