Services for Gilbert V. "Gil" Apala, 79, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2005, at the Church of Jesus Christ with Bro. Jimmy Morris officiating. Interment will be at Keller Cemetery in Carter County, Okla.
Born on Nov. 18, 1925, in Wilson to Mulbert Jonas and Susie Emerson Apala, he died on March 9, 2005, at his home in Ringling. He was preceded in death by his mother on March 2, 1960; father on Jan. 3, 1961; daughter, Melba Sue Apala, on Jan. 6, 2004; two brothers, Junior and Tom Apala; three sisters, Wanda Meyers, Bonnie Griffith and Ruth Jackson; and grandson, Ricky Dale Harbour, on June 4, 1992.
Gil served in the Army during World War II receiving the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and World War II Victory Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren, as well as all children, how to hunt and fish. Gil's devotion to the Lord led him to read his Bible daily and love his church dearly. He was a member of the Carpenter's Union. Gill spent the last six years raising his grandson, Jackson, who loved his "Pa" as did the rest of his family and friends.
He and Christine Faulkner Harbour were married on July 28, 1972, in Ringling.
Survivors include his wife, of the home; three sons, Ronnie and Jimmy Harbour, Ringling, Mike Apala, Gainesville, Texas; two daughters, Anna Kaye McGowan, Newcastle, and Tammy Bobst, Ardmore; a brother, George "Pat" Apala, Ringling; four sisters, Vivian Gordon, Grand Prairie, Texas, Billie Griffith, Lone Grove, Shirley Lemons, Madill, and Ruby Phillips, Ringling; 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Bearers will be Nikki Ellis, Trent Hammons, Charles Griffith, Chris McGowan, Dakota Smith, Jerry Gandy, Mike Faulkner and Ashley Wade.