Jerry Don Gayler

GARDENDALE: Jerry Donald Gayler, 68, passed away at his house on Friday, October 9, 2015. A graveside service at Midway Cemetery, with military honors will be held at 2:30pm, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, Kenneth Jordan officiating, directed by Fry~Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola. A visitation will be held before the graveside service at 12:00pm at the funeral home in Tuscola.

Jerry was born April 13, 1947 in Coleman to Cecil and Maudie (Smith) Gayler.  He was raised in Goldsburo and attended school in Novice where he participated in 6-man football, track, FFA, and was manager of the football team.  He truly loved the land and the counties he lived.  He cherished his memories of his childhood and his friends from the Goldsburo area.

After high school, Jerry joined the United States Airforce, attaining the rank of Staff Sargent and working in aircraft maintenance.  He served in Florida, Philippines, Thailand, and served in Vietnam.  Jerry’s favorite airplane in Vietnam was the B-25, Mitchell.

In 1971, he married Catrina Woodard in Coleman, and they have remained married for 44 years. Jerry went to work in the oil field and loved his work.  After 30 years, he retired from FracTank Rentals in Monahans and he and Catrina settled in Gardendale.

Jerry had a happy, positive attitude and was very seldom seen not smiling.  He kept himself busy tinkering and repairing things and enjoyed the outdoors including mowing.  Another of his loves were his animals: cats, dogs, horses and all other animal.  His love of airplanes took him to numerous airshows and plane exhibits, which he rarely missed.  This fondness developed his ability to talk about any type of airplane and the way it worked. He had a weakness for cheeseburgers and strawberry malts or ham and cheese sandwiches. He always followed his meal with a helping of banana pudding.

Survivors include his wife Catrina (Woodard) Gayler; sister, Darlene Gorman of Zapata; two brothers-in-laws, Jackie Woodard of Odessa and Danny Woodard (Barbara) of Gardendale; niece, Joy Oxford (David) of Goldsburo; and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Vernon Gayler (dec. 2010); brother-in-law, J.D. Gorman (dec. 2007).