Gayle Dudley Smither

Gayle Dudley Smither, 82, resident of Cathedral City, Calif., passed away peacefully July 4, 2013 at Odyssey Hospice House after a long struggle with cancer. Gayle was born in Shelbyville, Ky., to Leonard and Exie Baker Smither. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances Roser Smither; daughter, Teresa (Robert) Smither Smith of Blue Springs, Mo.; and son, Gayle Dudley (Eve) Smither, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. He is also survived by five grandsons and two great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Warren Smither. Gayle served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1970. He then worked for Columbia Export Packers and Northrup Aviation, retiring from Northrup in 1996. Gayle's civic contributions include serving as scout master in the Boy Scouts of America, member of The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, and Manager of "Citizens on Patrol" (COPS), a voluntary security organization for his residential community. Gayle enjoyed fishing, golfing and calling Bingo at the Desert Princess Country Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 7801 Mesquite Bend Drive, Suite 105, Irving, Texas 75063, the American Cancer Society or The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, 125 W. El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Burial will be in Lexington, Ky.