Obituaries : Alvin E. Gaylor

Alvin E. Gaylor

Alvin E. Gaylor, 85, passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 15, 2010 in his Vinton home where he resided the past 5 years, though born and raised in the land of the cornhuskers!

He was born in Havelock, Nebraska, May 8, 1925, one of 6 siblings born to Orval and Anna Hinzmann Gaylor. The greatest love of his life is Christ Jesus, his wife of 52 years, his two daughters, their husbands, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, plus many, many good friends that have come in and out of his life over the years; and serving in several churches, working with youth bus routes, VBS, adult bible studies in his home and so much more. Alvin was known to his closest friends, as "Al-e-gator", well you just had to know him to understand his unique humor and his passionate love of life.

Al dropped out of school to join the Navy in 1942, serving on the U.S.S. North Carolina BB55. While in service he was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 star for his service in the Philippine Islands Operation that ended May 6, 1942. He was also awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal with 11 stars out of the 48th Navy/Marine Official Campaigns of the Pacific Theater, denoted on the service ribbon by Campaign stars. The Arrow Head Device was authorized for those campaigns, which involved amphibious assaults. And lastly he was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal given to any service member who was engaged in actual combat with Axis Forces within the American Theater. Upon his honorable discharge, he went back to school and graduated with his GED in 1946. On July 22, 1950, he re-enlisted in the US Navy to serve in the Korean War and was honorably discharged on October 3, 1951. He worked 30 years for Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company, holding many positions - the last of which was in the switch room, retiring in 1990.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Anna Hinzmann Gaylor, a brother, Orval Jr., his sister Shirley and his loving wife, Cynthia Y. Kelley Gaylor, just this past June 17, 2009.

His greatest pride and joy are his children and their families who survive him. Alvin is survived by his daughters, Paula Grace Weber, and husband, David Weber and Patty Jo Nitz, and husband, Charles Nitz; his grandchildren, Brandon K. Weber, and wife, Jenn, Jonathan T. Weber, Keith C. Weber, David Nitz, and wife, Jamie, Julie Nitz Bryant, and husband, Clifton; and all of his great-grandchildren, Janissa Weber, Braedon Weber, Timothy Nitz, Jared Nitz, Shane Bryant and Felisia Bryant. Alvin is also survived by his sister Dorothy L. Sutter, brothers, Charles Gaylor and Melvin Gaylor, and sister-in-law, Roma Gaylor.

A Memorial Service will be held at 7 PM, Monday, May 24, 2010 at Prairie Creek Christian Church, 2745 55th St. rural Vinton, with Pastor Dennis Sackett officiating.

You may leave online condolences for the family at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com