Gavin Batson Middleton Jr.

Gavin Batson Middleton, Jr., 76, was born September 28, 1945, in Mobile, Alabama to the late Gavin Batson Middleton, Sr. and Nellrea Lambert Middleton. Santa Gavin passed away on February 16, 2022, in Mobile, Alabama. He did a little bit of everything throughout his working history. Gavin was a Scuba diver for Bender Shipyard to maintain ships and deck hands for shipping to Alaska. He was a Volunteer fire department paramedic in New Orleans, and a bouncer at Trinity’s. Gavin sold women’s wigs for The Wig Shop owned by Yvonne Duke. He was a supervisor of boiler makers and welders. Gavin had a bit of engineering experience leading him to design and build office furniture. He owned a Construction Contractor Business and assisted in the building of Ochsner’s in New Orleans, apartments and strip malls. Gavin was a private investigator for lawyers, collected for bad debts, substituted for high school teachers, and played semi-pro football in Florida. He was a body guard/escort with Secret Service clearance for visiting dignitaries to Mobile and worked security for Musicians at Concerts in Mobile as well.

Gavin loved Mardi Gras, dancing, snow skiing, fishing, NASCAR, and woodworking. He enjoyed cruises, cooking, and entertaining with family and friends never taking for granted those moments of fellowship. Gavin always enjoyed listening to Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, and his friend/classmate Jimmy Buffet. Taking great pride in our country, Gavin continuously supported our Veterans.

Some of Gavin’s many accomplishments over the years have been: being crowned King of Mardi Gras for Juvenile Court in Mobile, Cheerleader in grade school and enrolled in Home Economics to be with the girls. He was talented enough for a football scholarship to college until his shoulder injury. Gavin designed and built his own chopper motorcycle. He was a proud Dance “Mom” for Heather with Robinson’s School of Dance. Gavin was chosen as an Honor Flight Guardian escorting Sonny Davis to DC. He Road and Conquered the Tail of the Dragon, escorted “The Wall That Heals” Vietnam Wall Replica to Mobile, and traveled through almost every state on his motorcycle.

Gavin was extremely active and was a member of the following organizations: St. Michaels Episcopal Church, Honor Guard for escorting and honoring military, Etruscans Mystical Society, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Order of Inca (inactive), Harley Owners Group of Mobile & National, Class of 1965 Murphy High School (and 1964), and Toulminville Reunion & High School 1959-1965.

A few of Gavin’s special sayings he enjoyed were: Yes Dear!!, I work smarter, not harder!, The party doesn’t start until I get there!, No matter what-I can beat this!, and No drama!

Gavin was preceded in death by his parents, a sister; Pamela Middleton, his grandmother-in-law; Lilli “Nanny” Green, his mother-in-law; Gladys Conway, beloved wife of thirty-five years; Virginia Cross Middleton, and his father-in-law; Dr. Robert L. Green.

Left to cherish Gavin’s wonderful memories will be his wife; Dr. Laurie Green, five children: Chip Middleton (Kimberly), Monica Leslie (Chris), Michelle Clark, Stacy Shelton, Ashley Carson (David), seven grandchildren: Cross Middleton, McKade Middleton, Heather Hewitt (Michael), Holly Clark, Sam Pitre, Joshua Lissarrauge, Silas Carson, two great-grandchildren: Emma Lederer, Holden Hewitt, along with many extended family members and numerous cherished friends.

For those wishing to continue Santa Gavin’s spirit of giving, in lieu of flowers, his favorite charities are:

Our local United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile, 3058 Dauphin Square Connector, Mobile, AL 36607, Ucpmobile.org to donate, 251-479-4900, Our local Abba Shriners, 7701 Hitt Rd, Mobile, AL 36695, Call 251-633-5561 to donate, Our local American Legion Post 250 Fowl River, 10950 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Theodore, AL 36582, Call 251-973-1116 to donate, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Stjude.org to donate, 800-805-5856.

Gavin’s legacy was, “Santa Gavin”, a life devoted to bringing joy and hope to all by giving of himself to nursing homes, churches, United Cerebral Palsy, Shriners, St. Mary’s Home for Children, St. Jude, Mulherin Home, Toys 4 Tots, Cities of Chickasaw and Creola. He never complained, and like Job in the Bible, Gavin always kept going no matter what obstacles got in his way. Unable to serve in the military due to an inner ear infection and turned down by 3 services, Gavin proudly supported all military and veterans.