GAYLE W. TAMS
A Memorial Service for Gayle W. Tams will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford, Nebraska with Pastor Thalia Woodworth officiating. Masks are suggested. Inurnment will follow at the Stamford Cemetery in Stamford with Military Honors provided by the Merlin Palmer Post #233 in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team. In honor of Gayle feel free to wear your casual Husker attire.
The memorial service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622" https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622
Gayle Wayne Tams, 76 years of age, of Stamford, passed away, on January 29, 2022, at his home in Stamford. Gayle was born in Oxford, Nebraska on February 8, 1945, the youngest of two children, born to Leo and Helen (Corbin) Tams. He received his education from Stamford public school and later attended and graduated from Stamford High School, with the class of 1963. He pursued higher education from Kearney State College.
On September 6, 1964, Gayle was united in marriage to Patty Ann Howell at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford and to this union two daughters were born: Tracy and Gina. They were high school sweethearts but their friendship started long before that.
On January 9, 1966 Gayle was inducted into the United States Army. He was sent overseas to Germany and Patty was able to travel with him. He was honorably discharged on January 8, 1968.
When Gayle returned from the Army he engaged in farming and started his own construction business, Gee Tee Construction. Later on, he started working as a mail carrier for the Stamford area.
Gayle enjoyed bowling league and playing fast pitch softball for the Country Boys team and helped mow the ball field Gayle was a volleyball and basketball referee for 35 years. He enjoyed all sports and especially cheering on his Huskers. Gayle never missed an opportunity to attend the kids and grandkids activities.
He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Stamford, where he was baptized, confirmed, and married. Gayle served as church council president, Sunday school teacher, and was the treasurer for 52 years. He was commander for the Stamford American Legion, fireman for 54 years and an EMT for 42 years,
Gayle had a lot of pride in the community of Stamford, he loved the people there and was always involved in projects and events.
Gayle was preceded in death by: his parents; sister-in-law, Shelly Rapp.
Gayle is survived by his wife, Patty Ann Tams of Stamford; two daughters: Tracy Kauk and her husband, Troy of Alma, Nebraska and Gina Brown and her husband, Jim of Holdrege, Nebraska; grandchildren: Taylor and Tanner Kauk; Ellie Bacon and her husband, Mark; Kaylin Brown; brother, Rodney Tams and his wife, Connie of Oxford; two sisters-in-law: Billie Jean Lans and her husband Dean of Stamford; Connie Frear of Grand Island, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Brian Rapp of Grand Island; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial book signing will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.
A memorial has been established in Gayle’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at HYPERLINK "http://www.nelsonbauerfh.com" www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
