Leonard Ted Gayle

From an early age, Ted was a precocious child. He excelled in sports and loved music. As a young boy he played the trumpet in a community band, joined the Sea Scouts and pitched for Badin High School and the Albemarle American Legion Baseball team that won the World Championship in 1944. He fell in love with golf as a Caddy at the Badin Golf Club and played the game throughout his life. He joined the NC Air National Guard his senior year in High School and upon graduation headed to Western Carolina to play baseball and football. Ted was activated for duty in his Sophomore year to serve in the Korean Conflict and upon returning to the states, he re-enrolled at Western where he met his future wife Margaret Evans. He graduated with a degree in Business and Accounting.

Ted and Margaret were married at Badin Presbyterian Church and recently celebrated 67 years of marriage. While living in Badin, Ted worked for Alcoa Aluminum Company. He later joined Collins & Aikman (C&A) as the plant accountant, a role he held in Albemarle, Siler City and Old Fort. Ted was with C&A for 19 years and when Margaret joined the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, he followed her there and accepted a position with NC Real Estate Commission as an Auditor. During his tenure there, he developed the standards and training program for Audits and Investigations which is still being used today. Ted retired as the Director of Audit and Investigations for the Commission after 15 years.

Throughout Ted’s life, he was a leader in many organizations including the Asheville Chapter of the National Association of Accountants and the National Organization of Real Estate License Law Officials.

Ted was ordained as a Deacon in the Badin Presbyterian Church at age 19 and is a Quiet Man of Faith who reflects what it means to follow Christ. Ted and Margaret have been members of First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh for 41 years. He was kind, dedicated to his family, friends, colleagues and the communities he has been a part of.

He is survived by his wife Margaret Evans Gayle, four daughters Tanya Gayle (Terry) of Jasper GA, Pamela Jones (Raleigh), Christy Gayle (Reidsville) and Laurie Gayle (Chris) (Raleigh) and two grandsons Palmer and Payton Jones (Raleigh).

He was preceded in death by two Son-in Laws, Ian Swan Gillies (Tanya) and Robert Kesterson (Christy).

Ted’s words reflecting on his life: “I had many blessings bestowed on me during my lifetime. I consider Margaret my wife and mother of our four daughters, the greatest blessing of all and my daughters as miracles. Life’s blessings have been so abundant and I wonder Why Me? Why has my road been easier to travel than some of my friends? I don’t know…but I am truly grateful.”

A Memorial Service to celebrate Ted's life will be held April 16, 2022 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 112 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh and Ted’s Interment will be in the Columbarium there.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a gift in Ted’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh, the American Red Cross, or the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Address and links are below under Donations.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Ted, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below within 'add a memory'.