Obituary of Steve Edward Gayle

Steve Edward Gayle was received into the hands of his Savior on October 1, 2010. He is survived by his wife Joy and children Brandon and Sierra of Pearland, daughter Stephanie of New York, son Steven Baker of Houston, 3 brothers and 3 sisters and extended family. Steve leaves behind him a legacy of a life well-lived and battles heroically fought. He was born in Taft, Texas on February 6. 1948, to Zelma Lou and Edward Stevenson, and raised in Corpus Christi. He graduated high school and attended Del Mar College. Steve bravely served his country as a Private First Class in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged and among his decorations were the National Defense Services Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and 2 OS Bars. Steve spent the first half of his working career in the oil and gas business, retiring from Unocal in 1999. During that time he was involved in volunteer work at Mission Glen Elementary and began his membership at First Presbyterian Church in Pearland, where he served as a deacon. After retiring from Unocal, Steve returned to work for the government as an administrative program support assistant at the Michael E. DeBakery VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Steve was deeply proud and honored to serve the veterans at the VA Medical Center and considered this last assignment from his Lord one of his most meaningful in his work history. Beyond his notable professional accomplishments, however, Steve will be most fondly remembered for the incredible impact he made on the lives of all those he ever met. Steve was particularly brave in his last battle against liver cancer, as he was blessed to receive a liver transplant and bore witness to the amazing grace of Jesus as he walked through the challenge of this with his family and friends. He was a lover of music of all genres, an avid Rockets fan, a hero to all of his children, and a best friend to his wife. He will be deeply missed, though his family rejoices in knowing that he is in the company of his Lord and surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. A service of celebration of Steve’s life and witness to Jesus Christ will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 2 p.m. The service will be at First Presbyterian Church in Pearland, and will be conducted under the care of Steve’s loving Pastor, Rev. Casey Jones. Several expressions of the Body of Christ will be assisting Rev. Jones in bringing this worship celebration, including the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Peace Presbyterian, Steve’s Acts 29’s Men’s Group, and numerous prayer servants. Entombment will be at a later date, at the Houston National Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the District Four Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that donations be made to the Michael E. DeBakery VA Medical Center, to the attention of “Voluntary Services”, 2002 Holcombe, Houston TX 77030. Donations made in memory of Steve will be distributed directly to serving the needs of veterans in the Houston VA.