Born January 3, 1918, in Hayti, he was the son of the late L.H. and Margaret Smith Gale. He attended school in Hayti and received his university degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo. He was an instructor in the Vocational Agricultural Department in the Caruthersville school system, and he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Caruthersville.
On May 26, 1946, in Caruthersville, he married Wanda Ward, who survives.
Survivors also include one son, J. Mel Gale Jr., of Hayti; one daughter, Twila K. Ward, of Burlison, Tenn.; two grandsons, John Gale III, of Hayti, and Jeff Ward, of Burlison; one granddaughter, Leslie Gale, of Hayti; three sisters, Frances Clutts and Betty Edmundson, both of Kennett, Mo., and Alice Crockett, of Lincoln Park, Mich.
He was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 24, at the First Baptist Church in Caruthersville, with Dr. James Adams officiating.
Burial was in the Maple Cemetery in Caruthersville.
Pallbearers were Bubby Henson, Trey Constant, Leslie Sides, Charlie Jones, Greg Peters, and Fred Newman.
The H.S. Smith Funeral Home in Caruthersville was in charge of the services.
Steve Moody
I had Mr. Gale for several Vo-Tech classes, and remember he had more patience with us than a Saint! He was our FFA Sponsor, and we took a trip to Columbia MO for a soil judging contest. We did ok, I think we took second or so, but Mr. Gale was tired of driving, so he chose me to drive back, which was interesting! I remember he was asleep while I drove thru St. Louis traffic, but no one else in the car was sleeping! I cannot remember who all else was on the team with me, but I do remember they were justifiably nervous about my driving in heavy traffic. Mr. Gale slept thru the worst part of the traffic, and woke up late and took back over the driving duties.He showed me a lot about being patient with people, something I am still learning. He was one of the best teachers I ever had in school.