Gale Le Roy Comer

Gale Comer’s heart failed him a final time on Friday, February 9th, six days before his 76th birthday. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife Margot and his children, Ben and Carin. He is survived by his wife, 5 children, their spouses, and 11 grandchildren. His family has been devoted to him in life and will miss him and his open and loving personality for years to come.

Gale was born in Jefferson Missouri. The family moved to Doris California and then to Redding where Gale and brother Buddy attended Enterprise High School. Their Dad, Lorin, built their

family home with help from Gale and Buddy. The skills and passion for construction that he learned at his father’s side became a way of life for him.

Gale was a physical force in his world. When he graduated from Enterprise High School in 1960, he was a record-holding track star and North State Wrestling Champion. His school record in the hurdles held for almost 50 years. During his high school summers he worked loading boxcars for the mill, where he strengthened his body and his life-long work ethic.

He enlisted in the army for a 3 year commitment to keeping the peace in Germany as a tank driver, in Company B 1st MTB 35th Armor. Upon his return to the USA and discharge on the east coast, Gale and an army buddy and travelled 3000 miles across the country in a convertible. After returning to Redding, Gale and Shirley married and had two beautiful children, Carin and Benjamin. Gale was intensely proud of his children, their values and responsibility, borne out in the families and successful lives each has built.

Gale began working in Redding for Meeks Building Supplies on Churn Creek Road. He started in the yard loading trucks, then to driving the loaded trucks to their destinations all over the Shasta County and beyond. By the time he was promoted to inside sales, he had already met most of the builders far and near. Gale was an innovator in the building supply industry, creating a program of outside sales that was highly successful. At his suggestion, Gale was provided with a bright yellow

pickup emblazoned with the Meeks logo in which he visited construction sites, wrote orders and delivered supplies in the same day. He became known and respected by contractors and owner-builders throughout the region.

In the 30 years he worked for Meeks, Gale built 3 homes, barns and constant smaller projects. As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, bass fishing, and horseback riding. He and

some fishing buddies started a little Bass Club on Shasta Lake which eventually grew to be the prestigious Redding Bass Club. He was an active member of the Sheriff’s Posse and rode his horses for years in team drills for the Redding Rodeo, the rodeo parade and, as a Sheriff’s deputy, participated in search and rescue assignments throughout Shasta County.

In 1992, Gale and Margot were married. Together they “retired” from their jobs in Redding and embarked on a new grand adventure. They went to Puertecitos in Baja California for the

fishing and the company of other such adventurers. Both were highly energetic and creative which led them to remodel, design and built houses along the beach. In summers they travelled by RV throughout the Southwest. Eventually, they moved into a house in Palm Springs and took up golf and entertaining visiting friends and family. In 2000 they returned to Northern California to live in Sun City in Lincoln where they have enjoyed “senior lifestyle” and being near children and

grandchildren.

When Gale took up an interest, he went at it with all of his energy. Construction, real estate, landscaping, travel, golf, cooking, cars and motorcycles each gripped his imagination and his ambitions. In his final year he embraced the guitar and mastered over 100 songs.

Thank you to loved ones and friends for gathering in Redding

to comfort each other and to remember Gale as the friendly,

loving man we all knew.