Mr. Gayle was born on April 18, 1921 in Greensboro, N.C., the son of Sidney A. Gayle Sr. and Bess Alderman Gayle. Both his parents and his brother Miles Alderman Gayle are deceased. He had been a resident of High Point since 1931. He was a graduate of High Point Central High School and Georgia School of Technology in Atlanta, GA. During World War II, he served for 3 1/2 years in North Africa and Italy, attaining the rank of captain. From 1945 to 1985 he was president and CEO of Alderman Studios, pioneering many innovations in photography and graphics for the Home Furnishings Industry. During his tenure, Alderman expanded from four employees to more than 500 with studios in High Point and Lenoir, N.C., Dallas, Texas and New York City. From 1986 to 1996 he was co-owner of Omega Studios in High Point and Dallas. From 1997 to 2002 he was a sales executive with Kreber Graphics of Columbus, Ohio. He had an extensive involvement in the High Point Community, which included service on the Board of Directors of High Point Regional Hospital, YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Presbyterian Home, UNCG, United Way and Wachovia Bank of High Point. He was an honorary member of High Point Partners and a member of Entrepreneurs Roundtable. He was a life long member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and served in many capacities there including Chairman of the Board of Stewards, Every Member Canvas and Columbarium Committee. As a loving husband, father and friend, he served as a guiding light to many of us whose lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; son, Jim Gayle and wife Harriet of High Point; daughter, Lynn Gayle Caputo and husband Tony of Asheville, N.C.; brother, Robert S. Gayle and wife Pat of Hilton Head, S.C.; niece, Martha Gayle Barber and her family; nephews, Scott, Bruce and David Gayle and their families; and cousin Sidney S. Alderman of Sausalito, Calif. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II officiating. Visitation with the family will be held after the service in the Asbury Room of the church. Memorials may be directed to the Sidney A. Gayle, Jr. endowed Scholarship at Randolph Community College (Joyce Wolford, RCC Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1009, Asheboro, NC 27204) or to a charity of your choosing. Sechrest Funeral Service is serving the Gayle family.
Greensboro News & Record, Sunday October 29, 2006