Gail Merle Clough

Gail Merle Clough, 98, of Borger, Texas, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Amarillo, Texas.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in Goodnight Cemetery in Goodnight, Texas. Arrangements are under the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon, Texas.

Gail was born in Malvern, Ohio, and attended Onasburg High School in East Canton, Ohio. During the fall of his senior year, at only 17 years old, he volunteered to serve his country in the United States Navy, requiring his parents' signature for enlistment. He became an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class with the USN and was also cross-trained as a turret gunner, completing Gunnery School in the Jacksonville area as well as Aviation Machinist School.

During the final months of World War II, Gail served as a crew member on a PB4Y-2, a four-engine bomber. While stationed at Miami Naval Air Station in December 1944, he and his crew participated in the historic search for Flight 19, the squadron of five Navy Avenger planes that disappeared under mysterious circumstances in what would later be called the Bermuda Triangle. Gail often recalled the long hours spent in his gun turret scanning the ocean for any sign of the missing aircraft-a memory that stayed with him throughout his life. He remained proud of his role in this solemn chapter of naval history.

After completing his service in 1946, Gail married Nila Marie Norris in 1952 in Socorro, New Mexico. He went on to earn a master's degree from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (now New Mexico Tech) and dedicated a portion of his career to teaching at Borger High School and Frank Phillips College.

Since 1970, Gail made his home in Borger, where he worked throughout the Texas Panhandle as an electrician. Known affectionately as "Mr. Fix It," he had a remarkable talent for repairing anything and creating something out of nothing. His last customer invoice was written at the age of 87.

Music was a lifelong passion for Gail. He began piano lessons at the age of nine, after his parents purchased a square grand piano, and went on to perform in a high school dance band during 1943-1944. Throughout his life, he loved playing hymns and World War II-era music on the piano, often filling his home with melodies for family and friends.

A man of faith and gratitude, Gail attributed his long life to God's blessings, the guidance of the Boy Scouts of America's 12 Scout Laws, and his devotion to Scripture and prayer. His favorite saying was, "Look up, Look out, Look in!"

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Nila, in 2000; and his brother, Floyd D. Clough.

Gail is survived by his son, Wayne Clough and wife Kathy of Albuquerque, NM; his daughters, Jane Horn of Goodnight and Gay Hunsaker and husband Randy of Cisco; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and eight nieces.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Cru, c/o Chapman, Acct. 0118397 (https://cru.org), or Crossworld, c/o Vance, Acct. 37580 (https://crossworld.org).