Donald Arlie Gale, age 84, of Pinehurst, died on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023, at First Health Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.
He was born on February 14, 1939, in Newark, NY, to the late Arlie and Ethel Gale.
Donald entered the military at age 17 and retired after 20 years. He was in Special Forces and fought in two tours of the Vietnam War. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
After serving his country, Donald was a police officer for the Fayetteville Police Department for 26 years. He won numerous marksmanship awards in police competitions throughout the state. Donald and his wife moved to Pinehurst after his wife retired from teaching.
Donald loved his country, his family, and animals. The family has always had pets in the household, and Abby, the family dog, is missing her “daddy” very much.
He is survived by his wife Yvonne Gale, his son Kenneth and his partner Kasie Krick, and two grandsons Christian and Nicholas. He has one surviving sibling, Shirley Pentycofe.
His ashes will be interred at the Sandhill Veteran’s Cemetary on Fort Liberty.
Memorials can be made to Caring Hearts for Canines, P.O. Box 1219, Southern Pines, NC 28388, or the Moore Free & Charitable Clinic, 211 Trimble Plant Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
Care of the family is entrusted to Crumpler Funeral Home-Aberdeen.
