Gaylon Sue Bashioum

Gaylon Sue Bashioum fought the good fight and was finally freed from cancer and dementia on July 20, 2026.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 @ 10:00am at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, Texas.

Born on August 29, 1945, Gaylon was the middle child of Maxine and Frank Casstevens. Along with her sisters, Francine and Lynna, she learned at an early age the importance of helping at home and pitching in when times were tough. Gaylon learned to cook and clean long before most children her age, and those lessons shaped the hardworking, caring woman she became. She carried those values throughout her life.

Gaylon married Joseph Wendell Bashioum, Jr., on April 20, 1962. Together they welcomed two daughters, Gwen and Julie. With a balance of practical wisdom, steadfast guidance, and Christian faith, they created a loving home and taught their daughters the value of hard work and earning everything they had. The best life lesson taught to their children was the love of Jesus.

Gaylon was smart, witty, funny, and a joy to be around. She was a talented seamstress, a master of lawn care, and a creative cook who could make anything whether we liked it not. There were two options at the dinner table…what mom made or peanut butter. For every recipe book in her home, there was also an exercise guide and equipment nearby.

She also taught her daughters the importance of a wooden spoon. In Gaylon's hands, it served a dual purpose: cooking and discipline. She could reach the kitchen drawer for a wooden spoon faster than a skilled marksman on the front line, and her children quickly learned to respect both her cooking and her authority. Though those moments became cherished family stories, they reflected the love, guidance, and values she instilled throughout her life.

After 29 years of serving as a Unit Clerk in the NICU and Recovery Room at Northwest Texas Hospital she retired to join Daddy in his retirement. The years that followed were filled with fun and travel with a trip to Israel being one of their favorites.

Gaylon was predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph Wendell Bashioum, Jr. her mom, Maxine Adkisson and her sister Lynna Miller. They are now reunited in the final resting place.

She is survived by:

• Daughter, Gwen Littlehales and husband Tommy

• Daughter, Julie Smith and husband Harry

• Granddaughter, Sydney McFall and husband Clint

• Grandson, Cameron Kleinschmidt and wife Paris

• Five great-grandchildren – Creighton, Callahan, Adelaide, Charlotte and Rosemary.

• Sister, Francine Mathis

• Brother-in-law, Tom Bashioum and wife Martha

• Sister-in-law, Kathy Sartorius and husband Rob

• Numerous nieces and nephews

Gaylon was a member of Hillside Christian Church. Her legacy of faith, hard work, humor, and love will be cherished by all who knew her.

Gaylon’s favorite “color” was leopard. While she never sought to stand out, she believed she was among the first to embrace and confidently wear leopard print.

In celebration of her life, we invite you to honor her memory by sporting your best leopard attire.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to High Plains Senior Care Hospice and Visiting Angels for the love, care, and support they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Colorful Closets @ https://www.colorfulclosetsama.org/donate-now.html or Sharing Hope Ministry @ https://www.sharinghopeministry.org/give.html