Louis Gale

Lieutenant-Colonel Louis Edward Gale, 98, died peacefully in his Powell, OH home on June 21, 2019 at 1:14PM. A pilot in the U. S. Air Force, veteran of World War II and of Viet Nam, he flew over 10,000 hours during his 29+ years of service. He trained in numerous planes including the C-47, B-47 and his personal favorite, the C-130. He was also awarded the Silver Star among other awards and citations. In 2013, Col. Gale was inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame of Valor for heroism in combat operations in Viet Nam.

Colonel Gale was born on November 16, 1920 in Washington Courthouse, Ohio to Rev. Floyd and Helen (Williams) Gale. After high school he attended Olivet Nazarene College and later received his Masters degree from University of Pittsburgh. In 1942, knowing that he would likely be drafted anyway, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp because the U. S. Navy recruiter was not in his office in Columbus.

In 1948, he met Betty Smith at the Nazarene Camp Meeting on Morse Road in Columbus, OH. They were married about one year later, on June 5, 1949, after a courtship while he was stationed in Louisiana. During their courtship, he would volunteer to fly planes to Columbus on the weekends for maintenance at Lockbourne Air Base (now Rickenbacher) so that he could spend time with Betty.

They were married for just short of 50 years. Together they had three sons, Jon Timothy, Thomas Alan and David Louis. During his service the boys enjoyed moving around to different parts of the country, as well as a three year stay in Germany. Col. Gale enjoyed family, travel and involvement in church. During the last 15 years he has enjoyed dinners out and various events with his special friend Linda Davis.

He is survived by his sons, Tom (Columbus) and Dave (Beckley, WV); his special friend Linda Davis of Powell, his seven grandchildren; and his twelve great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty (1999) and his oldest son, Tim (2018).

A viewing will take place at Schoedinger Funeral Home in Worthington (6699 N. High St., Worthington, OH 43085) on Saturday, June 29th from 10:30AM - 1:00PM. Funeral Service will begin at 1:00PM, with the burial immediately following at Kingwood Memorial Garden. The service will be officiated by Pastor Tim Swanson of the Shepherd Church of the Nazarene.