Gayle G. Green, 78 of 611 Freeman St., Charles City, died, July 12, 2012 at the Floyd Count Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 14, 2012 at First Baptist Church, 105 Chapel Lane, Charles City. Officiating will be the Rev. Ruth Yeaton. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 pm, Friday at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home 401 Blunt, Charles City and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City. In lieu of flowers, memorials my be directed to the Charles City High School Athletic Fund. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com.
Gayle G. Green was born on November 9, 1933 in Charles City, Iowa to Clifford and Belva (Monroe) Green. He attended McKinley Elementary School and graduated from Charles City High School in 1952. He attended UNI to play football after graduation but suffered an injury that first fall to end his football career. He then worked at Salisbury Lab for a time before enlisting in the Navy where he served his country proudly from late 1952 to 1956. Upon his return to Charles City he worked for Salisbury Lab for 39 years, actively playing many years for the Salisbury Laboratories fast pitch softball team before retiring in 1985.
At the age of 15 Gayle was introduced and played with an upcoming country legend Dave Dudley. This started his love for the guitar in which he learned to play by ear. During high school and later on he was known to many for his accomplishments in such sports as football, basketball, baseball and track. He also was a talented singer on the Boys Glee Club.
After his time in the Navy, he married and became the proud father of his four children. He taught them the many sports he enjoyed while teaching, coaching and officiating the games through the years. He enjoyed traveling with his family and kept the kids entertained wherever they went in the U.S. and Canada with his singing and playing the guitar. To his kids and the Charles City community he became known as the Candy Man as he always had candy for everyone as he delivered groceries and pharmaceuticals to many, bringing smiles to all.
Gayle is survived by three children, Gayla (Stephen) Wilkinson of Ocean View, DE, Dana (Joy) Green of Fort Worth, TX, and Deanna (Tom) Ballard of Lincoln, NE; Three grandchildren, Nathan (Teri) Wilkinson, Samantha Wilkinson, and Tyanne Ballard (Rocky) Collier; Three great grandchildren, MaKai Collier, Alexis and Tyler Wilkinson; along with Two step grandchildren, Ryan and Evan Hald.
Gayle was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Belva; brother Lloyal, sister Bonnie; son Greg in 1998, and granddaughter Jennifer.
Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt Street, Charles City, IA. (641) 228-4211. www.fullertonfh.com
He was a great man. People will miss the “candy man” RIP