Bruce Orwin: Gatewood’s Halloween Parties

When I was a senior at UK in 1977, with my roommate, I attended a Halloween party held at Gatewood’s house which was in the old YWCA located somewhere in downtown Lexington.

My roommate’s father was the sheriff of Casey County, so we borrowed two deputies uniforms and attended the party. I recall that there was a goodly contingent of bikers and others in attendance who were not happy with law enforcement, and we got a number of evil stares. 

I recall walking into rooms and hearing toilets flushing, small parcels being thrown under furniture, etc. It was big fun, but we were not the hit of the party.

I last saw Gatewood at the Master Musician’s Festival here in Somerset. I told him that he was like Elvis-he was everywhere. We had a good laugh and talked about his Halloween parties.

I will miss him. He was unique. He always had a good story and I smiled everytime I was around  him. He will be missed.