Hugh Curtis Gayler

Hugh Curtis Gayler age 91 of Eufaula, AL passed away Sunday, December 18, 2011. He was born in Chattooga County, Georgia on 31 October 1920 and moved to Irondale, Al at age 6. He graduated from Shades Cahaba High School and attended Howard College for two years. He graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn), majoring in Aeronautical Engineering. While attending Auburn, Hugh was president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Hugh served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Force as a Flight Technician on a B-25 Bomber crew. After the war, he worked for Pan American Airways as a Flight Engineer in Miami, FL. In 1953 he began working with Hayes Aircraft in Birmingham, AL. Later in 1961 he joined the Department of Defense as a project manager for the Air Force’s Tanker program until his retirement in 1986 at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, GA. Hugh served as a Deacon at Hinesville Baptist Church and was a member of the Wisdom Seekers Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Hinesville Lions Club and donated to many Conservative charitable organizations. During his active years, Hugh was an avid softball player, bowler, and golfer. In his later years he enjoyed coin collecting and watching Atlanta Braves baseball and Auburn football. He was preceded in death by his wives, Mary Frances Miles Gayler in 1977 and Leila Borland Gayler in 2003. He is survived by his children, James H. (Patsy)Gayler, Richard M.(Joy)Gayler , Barto L. (Kathy)Brown, III, Jeanne B. (Harry)Bradford, Merrye Jane (Bill)Brunson, Debbie B. (Jay)Goldman; brother, Cecil W. Gayler; ten grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 12:00 noon at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel followed by a graveside service at 1:00 pm at Elmwood Cemetery with Rev. Bobby Praytor officiating.