The journey of life for Nathaniel C. Gaiter, Jr. began on May 26, 1936, in Key West, Florida.  He was the fourth child born to the late Nathaniel C. Gaiter, Sr. and Ruth Bosfield Gaiter.

He received his early childhood and middle school education in the Madison County School System.  After relocating to Miami (Coconut Grove), Florida with his family, he continued his education at George Washington High School where he developed a passion for reading, photography. and sports.  Throughout high school, he was actively involved in numerous organizations and activities, including the Student Athletic Association, Student Council, Patrol Force, History and Photography Clubs.   Not only was Nathaniel a perceptive and astute student, but an exceptional athlete as well.  His physical talent and natural ability could be seen from the moment he picked up a basketball or walked onto a baseball or track field.  He pushed himself daily to perfect his skills and develop new ways to dominate the sports that he loved so much.  He graduated from George Washington High as an outstanding lettered athlete in softball, basketball, and track and field. After graduation, he continued his quest for knowledge at South Carolina State College on an athletic scholarship.  Thereafter, he was awarded a professional baseball contract with the Washington Senators; instead, he opted to render military  service.

Ready to serve his country, Nathaniel enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957, where he served with distinction.  During his military career, he was assigned to posts in Georgia, Florida, North Dakota, Korea, France, and Viet Nam.  His love of sports and athletic prowess proved to be one of his greatest assets in his career.  He was selected by the Special Services Interservice Intramural Athletic Sports  Program to play baseball, fast pitch ball, softball, and basketball with other top athletes in the US Air Force.  Gaiter was hailed as "probably the best all-round pitcher" in the France Spain Sports Conference (FSSC) Championship held at Chateauroux AS France.  He was later selected for the Air Force Enlisted Commissioning Program, among his many other accomplishments throughout his career.  He was a soldier to the core and the discipline and patriotism he learned in the Air Force never left him.  At the close of his tours of duty, he retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Gaiter's devotion to his military profession was only surpassed by his deep commitment to his family.  During his tour of duty at the Turner Field Air Force Base in Albany, Georgia, he met and married Roe Helen LaSane Gaiter, his beloved wife of 60 years.  They embarked on the adventure of a lifetime filled with love, respect, and commitment to each other.  Through the years, Gaiter proved to be a stronghold and true anchor to his wife.  He delighted in supporting Roe Helen, their children and grandchildren in all their endeavors.  As a husband and father, he ate not the bread of idleness and   always sacrificed his needs for the good of his family.  After retirement from the military, he was employed by varied and diverse companies, including Lowe's, Denson Moving and Storage, McGregor, Inc., Turner Job Corps, and the Albany Branch of the United States Postal Service.  His career was defined by his hard work, high expectations, and unquestionable integrity.  He was an enthusiastic employee who always looked for optimal solutions to complex problems and was never satisfied with status quo.  He retired  once again, having rendered numerous years of loyal and dedicated service.

Gaiter was raised in a home where he was taught early in life to love and reverence God.  At a young age, he professed his faith in Christ and united with Christ Episcopal Church of Miami, Florida.  In later years after settling in Albany, he united with the Union Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. John A. Severson.  As he continued to avail himself  to be a servant of God, he loved working in the church, especially being a member of the Men's Ministry; coordinating the Angel Food Ministry; attending Sunday School, Bible Study, Congress of Christian Education conferences, and assisting with disaster relief and clean-up initiatives, Men's Day, and  the Christmas Nativity set-up.  Gaiter dearly loved the Lord and his church family.  As he grew in his Christian walk, he carried special songs in his heart— He Touched Me and In Times Like These. Yes, without a doubt he knew that his life had been touched and made whole; he knew that his anchor would hold and grip the solid rock.

While Gaiter never sought to make a name for himself, his remarkable reputation ensured that he was always recognized and respected wherever he went.  Oftentimes, he reminisced about his military     service and the life he spent with his family, friends, classmates, and coach of the Coconut Grove community.  Anyone who knew him would agree that he was extremely straight-forward, unpretentious, and strong-willed; but he was also the voice of calm, comfort, and humility.  Gaiter genuinely cherished  every moment of his life and squandered nothing.  He was full of life, love, and kindness; nevertheless, he was never short on a joke or perfectly timed comic relief.  As much as he was a humorist, conversationalist, storyteller, and philosopher, he was also a quiet yet stabilizing force.  He was a traveler and cherished the trips he took with his wife Helen, to spend time with their children and grandchildren in Alabama, North Carolina, Maryland, and areas in Georgia.  He was a genuinely good person, and one of the best husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and great  grandfathers anyone could ever hope for.

Gaiter's many and varied personal interests are difficult to sum up in just a few sentences, but he is best known for his love of sports—golf, basketball, baseball, track and field, and fast pitch ball.  Competitive in nature, he approached every challenge with equal measures of enthusiasm and serious focus—            whether at home, at work, in the community, or on the golf course.  He has left a lasting impact on those he encountered which will persist long beyond his time.  In addition to sports, he enjoyed listening to songs by Nat King Cole, Sam Cook, Smokey Robinson, Bob Marley, Mahalia Jackson, and  Andre Crouch.

On Jyly 28, 2020, Nathaniel faced the sunset of his earthly journey and entered his rest joining his Savior in eternity.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel C. Gaiter, Sr. and Ruth Bosfield Gaiter; his daughter, D'Andrea Gaiter Lee; three siblings, Salathiel Gaiter, Annette Gaiter, and Arthony Gaiter; nieces and nephews, Barbara, Rebecca, Richard Jr., and Trevor; and his in-laws, Ethel and John Henry Lofton.

Cherished memories will forever remain with his loving wife, Roe Helen Gaiter; his children, Valerie  (Van) Quarles of Waldorf, MD, Audrey (Joseph) Ketchup of Savannah, GA, Virgil (Kelly Leong)  Gaiter of Glen Burnie, MD, Natalie (Kelsey) Dix of Newnan, GA, and Leinahtan (Ebony) Gaiter of Clayton, NC; siblings, Larry (Barbara) Gaiter, Herbert (Gloria) Gaiter, and Margaret G. Hall; son-in-law, Timothy Lee of Huntsville, AL; a myriad of grandchildren and great grandchildren; a devoted cousin, Willie B. (Carlene) Corbett, Jr.; two special family friends/sisters, Gwen Crawford and Judy Thomas;  a caring and compassionate friend, Tangela Harris; and a host of  nieces, nephews, special cousins, church family, and friends.