It is with heavy hearts that the family of Dwayne Doan Gale, aged 63, of Willow Springs, Missouri announces that he has passed away on October 13, 2025.
Dwayne was born on November 27th, 1961, to Doan Gale and Nadine (Sward) Gale Stark in Houston, Missouri. An avid athlete, Dwayne’s childhood was spent playing sports. He enjoyed them all, but his football team always held a special place in his heart and memories. His friends remember his kindness, wit, and penchant for a good joke or prank. He graduated as a proud Houston Tiger in 1980.
Dwayne went on to pursue a career with the highway patrol, graduating with the 57th recruit class on February 7th, 1986. His job was certainly not without its difficulties, heartache, and sacrifice. However, it brought him immense pride to serve with his brothers and sisters in blue and to protect the home and people he loved so dearly. After 28 years of dedicated service, Sergeant Dwayne Gale retired on November 1st, 2013.
When he wasn’t working, Dwayne continued to find joy in sports and everything the great outdoors had to offer. His favorite place in the world was his farm. A place where he could watch the sun dip below the fields at dusk, or sit quietly at dawn, waiting for that elusive monster buck as the sunrise filtered through the trees during deer season.
Dwayne will be remembered as a determined, hardworking, funny, and perhaps slightly stubborn man. He never met a challenge that he didn’t tackle head on. “I can’t” and “I give up” were never a part of his vocabulary, which was something that he was quick to remind all his children of when they were faced with anything difficult. “Mind over matter” and “you can do it” were always a part of his life advice.
Dwayne is survived by his children, Krista Dahl and husband Kevin, Dylan Gale and wife Keely, and Anna Gale; his sister Dana McGuire and husband Danny; his stepbrother Jerry and wife Barbara, grandchildren: Hayden, Elijah, and Oliver Dahl and Esme and Rainer Gale as well as beloved nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his father Doan Gale, mother Nadine Stark, stepfather Bill Stark, and aunts, uncles and cousins whom he adored. He was also preceded in death by two young grandchildren, Boyd Kyle Gale and Charlee Ann Dahl.
Our hearts are aching today, but also rejoicing that Dwayne is no longer in pain. We are immensely grateful for the memories and lessons he leaves us with.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Dwayne to the Houston Lion’s Club for the Shop with a Hero Program or Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).
Arrangements are under the direction of The Evans Funeral Home, Houston, Missouri.
