88R15291 AMB-D
By: Vasut H.C.R. No. 73
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable James Ray Gayle III of Angleton passed
away on May 18, 2022, at the age of 84, leaving his loved ones and
friends to reflect on his remarkable life and his many years of
dedicated service to the community; and
WHEREAS, J. Ray Gayle was born in Houston on October 29, 1937,
to James Ray Gayle Jr. and Lavenia Brewer Gayle, and he grew up with
the companionship of a sister, Janice; he competed on the
basketball, baseball, and track teams at Angleton High School, and
he continued to distinguish himself athletically as a pole vaulter
at The University of Texas; after earning an accounting degree in
1960, he graduated from the UT School of Law in 1966; he served his
country as a member of the United States Navy and the Naval Reserve,
attaining the rank of lieutenant; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, Mr. Gayle began his career as a felony
prosecutor for Midland County; he worked for several years as a
trial attorney in Texarkana and Angleton, and in 1973, he was
appointed judge of County Court at Law No. 1 in Brazoria County;
five years later, he successfully ran for judge of the 239th
District Court, and he was returned to office by county voters for
five successive terms for 24 years of service; he retired from that
post and assumed senior judge status in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Judge Gayle was a member of the State Bar of Texas,
the Brazoria County Bar Association, and the Texas Bar Foundation;
he gave back to his fellow citizens through his service as an elder
and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Angleton, as
president of the Angleton Lions Club and the Angleton Wildcat
Athletic Booster Club, and as a member of the Greater Angleton
Chamber of Commerce; he also coached both Little League and Babe
Ruth baseball, and in recognition of his civic involvement, he
received the Boy Scouts' 2018 Golden Eagle Award and the 2022
Community Champion Award; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Judge Gayle enjoyed the love
and support of his wife of 58 years, Nancy, their children, Shannon
Gayle Sebesta and her husband, the Honorable Pat Sebesta, and James
Ray "Chip" Gayle IV and his wife, Parrish Gayle, and their
grandchildren, Patrick Sebesta and his wife, Keri, William,
Christopher, Annabelle, and John Sebesta, and Jessica Gayle; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man, a proud veteran, and a pillar
of his community, J. Ray Gayle leaves behind a legacy of service
that will forever inspire all those who held him dear; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable James Ray Gayle III
and extend sincere sympathy to those who mourn his passing; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
J. Ray Gayle.