Arthur Leo Gayle, Jr.

Arthur L. Gayle, Jr., 96, of Lake Charles passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Candi and Marvin Holland on Monday, April 29, 2013.

Arthur was born in Lake Charles on December 11, 1916 to Arthur L. Gayle, Sr. and Susan Gedge Gayle. He attended Central School and Lake Charles High School. He graduated from LSU's College of Commerce in 1939 and was commissioned that same year through LSU ROTC where he was Cadet Colonel in 1937-1938 and Commander of Scabbard and Blade. During WWII, Arthur served at the Pentagon and in the European Theatre of Operations as Assistant Chief of Staff G-3 87th Infantry Division. He retired from active duty in 1945 at the rank of Lt. Colonel. For his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and the Croix de Guerre of the Duchy of Luxembourg.

A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Arthur was the owner of Property Casualty Agency, a member of the Executive Committee of the Calcasieu Insurance Exchange, and a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Louisiana. He was an active member and officer of many community organizations including the Calcasieu Parish School Board, the Lake Charles Kiwanis Club, Lake Charles YMCA, Calcasieu Area Safety Council, Greater Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce, and Board of Councilors of Christus St. Patrick Hospital. He was past senior warden, junior warden, and treasurer of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, and past chairman of the board of Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School. He also served on the boards of the LSU Foundation and the LSU Alumni Association.

Arthur's hobbies included hunting, fishing, golf, swimming (participated in the National Senior Olympics in 1993), carving and painting duck decoys and birds, singing (he knew all the words to all the verses of 50 songs), playing bridge and reading.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents Arthur L. Gayle, Sr. and Susan Gedge Gayle; his wife Ruth Thomas Gayle; his brothers Gedge, Willis and James Gayle; and grandson Michael C. Turner, Jr. Arthur is survived by his children Diane G. Daley and husband Kevin of Lakeway, TX, Arthur L. Gayle, III of Sugar Land, TX, and Candi G. Holland and husband Marvin of Lake Charles; grandchildren Dr. Christopher S. Turner of Baton Rouge, Stephanie G. Stahlman of Westlake, Justin Guglielmo of Lake Charles, and Ashleigh G. Holland of Baton Rouge; great grand children Margaret, Mary Elliott, and Hayes Turner of Baton Rouge, Shaylinn, Jolianna, Lorallie, Alyssaley, and Bronzicc Stahlman of Westlake, and Mya Guglielmo of Shreveport; grandchildren Kent and Sommer Holland of Lake Charles and great grandchildren Torrance Holland, Marley Culpepper, Dylan, Rainee, and Taylor Holland and Cade Guinn of Lake Charles.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the loving care given to Arthur by Dr. Mike Turner, Dr. Xavier Mousset, and caregiver Maritha Rosamore.

His Memorial Service with be at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Friday, May 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Reverend Gedge Gayle and Rector Jack Myers will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the Parish Hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthur L. Gayle scholarship fund at McNeese State University, P.O. Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609-9982, the Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School 715 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, or the charity of their choice.