Gail M Southwick

Gail Murray Southwick entered the glory of his final reward on Friday, February 1, 2019 while resting peacefully at JCH&L Gardenside in Fairbury, culminating a life well lived.  Gail’s 91 year journey began in Diller, NE on November 22, 1927, born the  first child of Raleigh and Verna Murray Southwick, at the dawn of the Great Depression when Calvin Coolidge was President, in the same year Charles Lindbergh flew solo from New York to Paris.

In his memoir Gail wrote, “Harbine was a good place to grow up. The people knew how to work hard, but also enjoyed doing fun things together, as long as it didn’t cost a lot of money.” He learned to tap dance as a child and took piano lessons in his retirement. He lost the sight of his left eye in an accident when he was eight. His mother died in childbirth when he was eleven. His adolescence was shaped by World War II. Because he was ineligible to join his peers in the military, he served as a Cadet in the Civil Air Patrol where he was trained to be watchful and identify enemy planes. Later his lifelong interest in flying was pursued by computer simulated flying and radio controlled planes that he flew at the Fairbury airport.

Facing adversity and the challenges of his family, his church and his Fairbury community throughout life, Gail became known as a thoughtful man with a positive attitude, and  discerning judgement who would listen to all sides. With a warm smile and a gentle voice  encouragement was given to his fellow travelers until his final days.  He lived a deep and abiding faith, reading everyday the biblical stories of people of faith and of the life of Jesus.  He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, fixing things, and using computers. He valued learning and encouraged his grandchildren with financial incentives to complete their educations.  He enthusiastically celebrated the lives and accomplishments of his four children, eleven grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Gail attended school in Harbine and Fairbury, graduating from Beatrice High School in 1945.  He married the love of his life,  LaDonna Irene Bell. on September 14, 1947 and shared the next 69 years at her side. Gail and LaDonna moved with their children Merlin, Gayla and Ron from Beatrice to Fairbury in 1952, where Rex was born.  As a businessman and Conoco dealer he began serving the people of Jefferson County delivering petroleum products, servicing their oil burners and bringing chewing gum to his customers’ children until he retired in 1994.  He became active in Fairbury and took on many leadership roles on the school board, where he served as president, the city council, the board of Blue Valley Community Action, the Gideons, investment club, card clubs and bowling leagues.  He was a member of First Baptist Church for over 65 years where he taught Sunday School, led Bible study groups, men’s Friday morning prayer breakfast and served as a Deacon along with many other roles. In retirement Gail and LaDonna delivered meals-on-wheels to elders across Fairbury.  In 2016 they moved to JCH&L Cedarwood Assisted Living where they continued to share meals and leisure time with new friends and old who they had known for many years.

He is survived by his children Merlin & Betty Southwick of Boston, MA, Gayla Bahm of Lincoln, Ronald & Bonnie Southwick of Fairbury, Rex & Judy Southwick of Valley, NE, 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, brothers Dennis & Nadine Southwick of Manhattan, KS, and Terrill & Diane Southwick of Prairie City, IA, sister Ann & Billie Smith of Bloomfield, NE. He was preceded in death by parents, Raleigh, Verna, and stepmother Rachel Weaver Southwick, wife LaDonna, Son-in-law Kenneth Bahm, sisters Laurell Southwick Schuerman and Jolene Southwick. The family will greet friends Friday, February 8th from 6 to 8 pm at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury.  Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the First Baptist Church – Fairbury, NE. Memorials have been designated for Camp Moses Merrill in care of First Baptist Church of Fairbury.