Eddie "Ed" Kent Gayhart

Eddie Kent Gayhart (Ed) of Ormond Beach, FL departed this life unexpectedly on Tuesday July 18th, 2023, at Halifax Hospital in Daytona, FL as a result of injuries he sustained Sunday, July 16th.  He was 71 years old.  Thanks to the staff at Halifax Hospital, he was surrounded by loved ones at his passing.  Ed was born in Hyden, KY on November 11th, 1951, to the late William Edward Gayhart and Helen Hoskins Gayhart.

Ed lived in Waverly, OH during most of his school years where he played minor league baseball as “hind” catcher.    As a youth he delivered Newspapers and worked as a teen at BBF restaurant. He earned an Associate Degree in Electronics in Louisville, KY in 1972 while also working part time.  He moved to FL that same year where he began working at Honeywell and later at Dextronics in Orlando.  At the same time, he worked for Seminole County Garage, after an accident there he drew disability Social Security and Workers Compensation for a short time.  After that he then worked at various jobs. Those included agriculture and landscaping, roofing, moving, and setting up trailers and most often as an electrician.  He was also his own mechanic as needed.  At the time of his death, he was the owner and operator of Gayhart Enterprise/Lawn Care. Although he talked at one time of moving to Colorado, after a brief stay, or somewhere out west, he resided in FL until his death.   He lived in Nashville, TN, for a few years to be near his son, where he also worked as an electrician.

He enjoyed reading, being outdoors, classic rock, some country music and he loved animals.  He always owned a dog from his youth until his passing, including Bella who was with him when he was injured.  Ed was not materialistic and was satisfied with his basic needs.  His faith was strong, and he often said God always made a way for him. He was a strong man both physically and mentally.   Ed dearly loved his children and grandchildren and most always put their wants and needs before his own.  He was also very close to his siblings and spent time with them as often as he could, in addition to frequent phone calls, especially with his brother Mark.  We were blessed to spend the weekend with him before his passing and his last words to us were I have work lined up this week but, I’ll be back Friday.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Cora Vanover Gayhart and Charlie Gayhart and maternal grandparents Fannie Jones Hoskins Pace and Billy Hoskins.  One brother Charles Brent Gayhart, stepdaughter Misty Driggers and step grandson Shane Driggers.

He is survived by his son Lance Michael Estep and stepdaughter Melody English both of Ormond Beach, FL one stepson Jimmy English of FL.  Two sisters, Saundra Gayhart of London, KY, and Lisa Fee (Lonnie) of Hyden, KY.  Two brothers Gifford Gayhart of Pierson, FL, and Mark Gayhart of KY.  He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, step grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends that mourn his passing.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00pm, Sunday, August 27, 2023 at Wolfe & Sons Funeral Home