Rudy Gayle Graham

1932 - 2024

Rudy Gayle Graham
10/25/1932 - 02/01/2024
De Leon - Rudy Gayle Graham, 91, passed peacefully from this life on February 1, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Gayle was born October 25, 1932, in Thrifty, Texas to Benjamin Franklin Graham and Amy Ruth Maples Graham. He married his devoted wife and closest companion, Patsy Smith, on June 11, 1955. They were blessed with a loving union of 68 years.
Gayle was raised in and graduated from Bangs High School. Not long after, he joined the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War. Returning home, Gayle married Patsy and soon began their family with the addition of their daughter, Brenda. Gayle went to work with Conoco in west Texas, setting out on a rewarding career of thirty-four years. The first eleven of those years, he worked in the Geophysical department and the later twenty-three Gayle spent in Production for Conoco. His career offered traveling benefits that were both a true blessing and also challenging at times. Gayle and Patsy were required to move often to serve in different work locations but eventually they developed a system that worked well for relocating their family. Along with those many moves, the blessings abound. They literally traveled the world spending many years in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, lived in fourteen different United States, and ultimately retired from Conoco while living in Alaska. They built many lasting friendships all over the world due to Gayle's work travels. They retired to De Leon in 1988 and settled in their final homeplace. They are longtime members of De Leon Church of Christ (Hwy 6) and love their church family dearly.
Gayle was such a talented man and truly a jack of all trades. He didn't need any formal training to learn a new skill and most all his talents were self-taught. He was a skilled mechanic and was able to service their vehicles on his own up until very recently. He was a talented welder and could build and repair anything from farm equipment to innovative gadgets. He enjoyed woodworking, leather tooling, and tinkering on just about everything. Gayle also raised cattle and harvested pecans. His hands were never idle, nor was his mind. He loved to stay busy, regardless of the task at hand and was a self-starter his entire life. Gayle and Patsy spent a lot of their free time traveling. What started as true camping in their younger years evolved into today's standard of RV'ing, which they loved. They visited all the states and Canada throughout their travels. For many years, they would spend their summers escaping the Texas heat and would live in Michigan from June to October. There, they have so many special friendships as well. Gayle was a loyal and loving husband, a supportive dad, a special grandad and great granddad, a committed employee, dependable and kind neighbor, and a true friend to so many. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Stacy Hale; grandchildren, Jay Nelson, Robin Nelson, and Sandy Doughman; great-grandchildren, Alex Nelson, Evan Nelson, Alison Doughman, Evelyn Doughman, and Asher Stuart; and other extended family. Gayle has been reunited with his parents.
Funeral services celebrating Gayle's life were held Monday, February 5, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at De Leon Church of Christ (Hwy 6) with Minister Rick Smitherman officiating. Interment followed in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Comanche. Serving as pallbearers were Stacy Hale, Jay Nelson, Alex Nelson, Evan Nelson, Dwaine Lane, and Jerry McGinnis. Honorary pallbearers were Gayle Graham, Denny Smith, and Josh Mathews. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Foster's Home for Children, 1779 N. Graham Street, Stephenville, Texas 76401 or to American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, in memory of Gayle. Condolences may be offered online at www.nowlinandersfh.com.