John GALES, age 82, of Fort Worth, Texas passed away on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. John was born March 19, 1939. "If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain" - The song was the synopsis of John's purpose in this world. John Arthur Gales, Sr. who was born in Bethany, Louisiana, it the eldest son of three children born to Junius and Curlie Lee Gales. He attended the following schools in Fort Worth IDs: James E. Guinn Elementary, James E. Guinn Junior High School and the Historical I.M. Terrell High School. While attending I.M. Terrell, he was a member of the 1957 Prairie View Interscholastic League State Championship Basketball Team. He graduated with honors and received a four year athletic scholarship to Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Wichita State University. At the University of North Texas, he received his Texas Teacher Certification; at Texas Christian University, he received Health and Driver Education Certification; and at the University Texas of Arlington, he received his Secondary English Instructor Certification. In 1962 John was hired by the Fort Worth Independent School District as an English Teacher/Basketball Coach at James E. Guinn Junior High School. In 1968, he was hired a Green B. Trimble Technical High School to become the first African American head-basketball coach at a predominately white high school in FWISD. In Wichita, Kansas, John met and married the love of his life, Alice Faye Mitchell, and they were married on October 16, 1961, and were blessed with four sons. John and Alice have twenty-three grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. John accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and was a member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in his formative years. He had been an active member of the New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church for over 40 years. The Late Reverend Isdore Edward, Jr. Pastor Emeritus and the Reverend Marcus McDonald were his Pastors. He served with the following auxiliaries: Male Chorus, All Male Ushers, H.O.P.E. INc., Raymond B. Spencer's Scholarship committee, and "Black Men Helping Black Boys to Become Black Men." His family thanks God for allowing him to be an instrument to serve others. John was preceded in death by his father and mother, Junius and Curlie Lee Gales, and their son Jerrold Alan Gales. He leaves precious memories of love to his devoted wife of 62 years, Alice Faye Gales; their three beloved sons, John Arthur Gales, Jr., Jeff Lamont Gales (Martina) and James Wesley Gales; his sister, Elois Marie Gales Criss; their twenty three grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and I.M. Terrell Classmates.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the GALES family.
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