Gale was born to Lawrence and Arabel (Harned) Meier of Boring, on October 3rd, 1940. He attended Boring Grade School and Sandy High School, graduating in 1958.
As the oldest child of a dairyman, Gale was actively involved in his family’s Grade “A” Raw Milk Dairy Farm. He loved animals and as a child raised a pet cow named Cindy, whom he trained to follow him around the farm. In later years, Cindy would be out in the field waiting for Gale in his milk truck and would follow him up the driveway as far as she could.
During his youth, Gale played accordion and performed on the TV Show “Stars of Tomorrow.” He was also actively involved in 4-H, FFA, and the Sandy Piston Poppers car club.
In 1956, Gale purchased a Swift Meats salesman's car, a 1955 Chevrolet 2 door 150 sedan. It was complete with a 235 6 cylinder & 3 speed column shift. He promptly found a solid lifter cam 265 V8 with dual four barrels and a Hot Rod was born. His love for restoring cars continued throughout his life.
In 1957, while walking down the senior hall of Sandy High School with his buddy, Ron Rassmussen, Gale saw the most beautiful girl, Sharon Gunderson, and said, “I’m gonna marry that girl someday.” His buddy replied, “Yeah, right Meiers.” It was a joke around school because Sharon was so beautiful, and Gale was just a farm boy.
In 1958, after attending Oregon State for one semester, Gale returned home to be with the love of his life. On August 13, 1960, Gale and Sharon were married at Pleasant Home Baptist Church. One of Gale’s famous sayings was, “I went to Oregon State long enough to say I did, then I came home and said I do.” Together Sharon and Gale had four children: their first son, Greg, who was born in 1963, their second son, Rodd, born in 1967 and twin daughters, Pixie and Trixie, born in 1970.
In the late spring of 1964, following the unexpected passing of Gale’s teenage sister, Gale and Sharon accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Over the years, Gale and Sharon were actively involved in youth ministry and were faithful members of Powell Valley Church.
In 1972, Gale and Sharon purchased 20 acres in Boring and built a house together, to accommodate their growing family. They also purchased a store that same year in Sandy that they named Sharon’s Pantry (formerly 3 Boys/Ron & Franks Market and now is Ace Hardware) . They owned and operated the store until they sold the business in 1982.
Gale and Sharon bought another business, Shorty’s Corner, in 1979. They owned and operated the business until it was sold in 2014, when they officially retired. During the many years they owned Shorty’s Corner, Gale and Sharon held many cruise-in events and were even featured in Street Rodder Magazine.
For many years, Gale was actively involved in the Sandy Kiwanis Club. He was also on the Boring School Board, was a Boy Scouts leader, and founded the Parking & Transportation arm of the Sandy Mountain Festival. He helped found the Route 26 Cruisers car club in Sandy.
Always with a cup of coffee in hand, Gale enjoyed spending time with family and friends, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, going to church, attending Route 26 Cruiser car club activities, and working on his cars. He will be remembered for his kind and compassionate spirit.
Gale is survived by his children: Greg Meier, Rodd (Nola) Meier, Pixie (Jeff) Ulmen, and Trixie (Joe) Hall. Grandchildren: Michael (Angel) Meier, Tyler Hall, Jeremy Hall, Lexie Ulmen, Livy Ulmen, Luke Ulmen, Justin Hall, Nathan Meier, Emily Hall, and Ava Meier; and his sister, Rosemarie (Steve) Hill.
Gale was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Sharon; his parents, Lawrence and Arabel; and his sisters Marijane, Sheryl, and Laura.
In lieu of flowers, these are our suggested donations in Gale's name:
Sandy Kiwanis Club-P.O. Box 1262, Sandy, Or. 97055
Powell Valley Church-1335 SE 282nd Ave., Gresham, Or. 97080
Route 26 Cruisers-P.O. Box 490, Sandy, Or. 97055