Robert Gayle Sr.

Robert B. “Bob” Gayle Sr., 79, of Florence died Sept. 26 at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado. He was born Nov. 10, 1933, in Bradley, Okla., to Bartlett and Wilma (Lindsey) Gayle.

He served in the U.S. Army. He married Cecilia Lalouette on Oct. 2, 1954. He was a plumber and later worked as foreman for the City of Florence.

He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He also was a volunteer on the Florence ambulance service and Florence Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Gayle of Florence; his children, Robert Jr. of Florence, Maria Walker of Halstead, Joseph of Hillsboro; Stephen of Florence; David of Andover, and Amber Gayle of Hutchinson; a sister, Sister Carol Gayle of Osh Kosh, Wis.; 18 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

Services were at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Florence. The rosary and visitation were Sunday. Funeral Mass was Monday. Interment was in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Florence.

Memorial funds have been established for the Leukemia Society and St. Patrick’s Altar Society.