Retired Naval Reserve Commander James Arthur Gayle, affectionately known as Jimmy, Papa and Papa Jim, passed quietly from this life in the early morning hours of Thursday December 13th, 2012, in Salinas, California, at the age of 91. He entered mortality on October 7th, 1921, in Dubois, Idaho, the son of hardy Pioneer stock, William Arthur Gayle and Hazel Laverne Hoopes. He is survived by his wife and eternal companion of 66 years, Phyllis Jones Gayle, originally of Mesa Arizona, Two brothers, Stan (Mary Ellen) Gayle from Sun City, Arizona, Don Gayle from Bend, Oregon, two children, Robert Gayle of Morro Bay, California, and Janis (David) Shipley, of Salinas, four grandchildren, James (Anita) Shipley presently residing in Spring Hill, Tennessee, Robin (Josh) Ladle Shipley of Boca Raton, Florida, Scott (Kiana) Shipley now living in Glendale, Arizona, and Craig Shipley who is teaching English in Taiwan, and 11 Great Grandchildren, ages 11 to 4 months.
Papa Jim was a part of the ‘Greatest Generation’ that proudly defended his country by enlisting in the Navy shortly after the start of WWll. As a young man of 21, sailing into the horror and aftermath of Pearl Harbor in May of 1942 left an indelible impression upon his mind as to the ‘reality’ of war. Nevertheless, Jim served with honor on several sea going vessels including the USS’s Grebe and Ward. In 1943 , he was recommended for Officers School and thus began his training by shipping stateside and attending Occidental College and USC for his undergraduate studies. With postgraduate studies at Harvard culminating in 1946 it appeared Jim’s life was well on course. One piece was missing, however, and that was the ‘tying of the knot’ to his sweetheart and fiancé, Phyllis Jones, and so on April 6, 1946 the two were married in the Boston Massachusetts Mission Home of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. In 1961, they were sealed eternally, along with their children, in the Los Angeles Temple of the same mentioned Church.
Retired from Active duty in 1948, Jim applied his acquired skills in transportation and supply to various jobs over the next 30 years working for Union Oil, JPL-Jet Propulsion Laboratory, North American Aviation, and TRW. He worked as a private consultant and concluded his professional career by building a very successful Trucking/Transportation business: Coast Counties Express. During all of this, he managed 35 years of service in the Naval Reserves, and was retired in 1981 with the rank of Commander, a rank he wore with great pride throughout the remainder of his life.
Of all the accolades, Papa Jim will be remembered to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as just that: Papa Jim. He was a loving and devoted family man, full of optimism, and displayed an ever-present ‘thumbs up’ attitude. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many and varied leadership positions.
Interment will be Friday January 11th, 2pm at San Joaquin National Cemetery near Santa Nella. A Memorial Service will be held the following day Saturday January 12th, at 11am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 255 E Alvin Drive in Salinas.
Jim’s family members would like to personally thank all the wonderful staff at Pacific Coast Care for their compassionate and caring service rendered during his stay there.
Yes, Papa Jim is gone and we miss him. The last 4 years of his life were not the best, but he handled all his health adversity as stated above with a ‘thumbs up’ attitude. I can simply say that ‘Dad’ was one of the father figures that influenced my life to a great extent. Obviously, he sired and raised a wonderful daughter, but he was always very supportive of my ventures. When I became a professional golfer, he introduced me to several of his friends and contacts, one which helped sponsor my PGA tour year. He was one of my biggest fans and was never critical in any way. He gave advice when asked for, and was always helpful in a positive way. He loved his grandkids and had special names for each. He got to meet all but one of his 11 great grandchildren, and little Stirling, born in Late August, will be present along with Jamie and Anita for his burial and memorial service, so in a way, he will have met all of his great grandchildren. And he was, to the end, a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Goodbye Papa Jim, and ‘May God be with you ‘til we meet again’.
No comments:
Post a Comment