Gale H. Ransone

Gale H. Ransone, 64, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, March 25, 2012, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Gale was a 1966 graduate of Valley View High School and was held in high regard by his classmates. He attended Eaton Barber College in Little Rock and graduated in 1968. Gale started his career with Arlie White in Nettleton. Later he became partners with J.L. Proctor and operated as Proctor and Ransone until Mr. Proctor retired. He then opened Ransone’s Haircare on Southwest Drive. He moved to Mountain Home and barbered there until 1992 when he returned to Jonesboro and operated a shop on Grant Street until his forced retirement due to health issues in 1999.

His customers were more than just customers; they were his friends. Gale shared his customers’ joys as well as their sorrows and disappointments. Through the years he worked with four generations of many families. He helped maintain McDaniel Cemetery and took great care to see that respect was given to the deceased and their families.

Gale was a positive person. He always tried to help everybody. Gale never met a stranger. He had more stories than most people could collect in a lifetime and loved to share. Gale was an active member of County Line Church of Christ. He was always eager to share his beliefs and was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. He had numerous nieces and nephews who regarded Uncle Gale as a special friend. He loved to play dominoes and was a force to be reckoned with.

During holidays Gale was the life of the party. At the Lynn Reunion, he was working toward becoming the perpetual King. For the Fourth of July picnic and for the Christmas supper he was expected to come in costume. He loved to barbeque and cook for all his family and friends. His laughter and joy always filled the room. He didn’t mind if you were laughing at him or with him. He would laugh right along with you.

Gale was an avid ASU Redwolves and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. He was a past member of the Valley View Ruritan Club and the Valley View Athletic Boosters Club. He enjoyed gardening and hunting and was preceded in death by his parents, Henry G. and Katie Harvey Ransone, and two brothers: Jimmy Ransone and Dale Ransone.

Survivors include his wife, Gail Lynn Ransone of the home;

1 son and his fiancé, Galen Ransone and Morgan Baker, both of Jonesboro;
1 daughter, Gala Ransone and Paul Richardson, both of Jonesboro;

2 brothers and their wives: Don and Shirley Ransone and Larry and Sharon Ransone, all of Jonesboro; and

4 sisters: Earlene Brown, Frances Walker, Eunice Worlow and her husband Leland, and Pat Watkins, all of Jonesboro.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Wayne Camp and Rowdy Fortson officiating. Burial will follow in McDaniel Cemetery.

Active pallbearers include Roy Frazier, Zac Corter, Jeff Ransone, Steven Lynn, Brandon Ransone and Jason Benbrook.

Honorary pallbearers include the Valley View High School Class of 1966, J.W. Stark, Glen Joiner, Steve Bracy, Roger Ducker, Carl Horne, Dan Spencer, Jerry Hitchcock and Gary Watkins.

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, 5-8, at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Paragould Childrens Home, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.