Gail Effler, age 90, of Busick, reunited with family and loved ones in Heaven on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025. He was born on January 26th, 1935, in Yancey County, a son of the late James and Tilda Effler Woods. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara Carroll Effler; his loving wife of 10 years, Betty Johnson Effler; special great-aunt, Adeline Davis; three brothers: Arnold Effler, Welzie Effler and Edd Effler; sister, Christine Harding, and infant sister, Versie Belle Effler.
Gail began his career with the U.S. Forest Service in 1956. During his career, he worked with Parks and Recreation at Black Mountain Campground and also Carolina Hemlocks, where he helped in constructing the pavilion. He was also an equipment operator with the Forest Service. He fought forest fires with them from the states of Washington on the West Coast to Arkansas, and in North Carolina. Many of his jobs pertained to being a timber technician and cruising timber for private lumber companies to purchase for the government. He also manned the Green Knob Tower as a fire tower watchman for three years, and in 1991, he retired from the U.S. Forest Service after 35 years of service. He worked for over 20 years as a property caretaker for Mr. and Mrs. O’Neil Douglas with whom he became great friends over the course of those years.
With his livelihood spent outdoors, he loved going hunting and fishing, and was passionate about collecting guns, going deer, rabbit, bear and coon hunting, and tending to his chickens. He was a lifetime member of the N.R.A., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Yancey Rod and Gun Club. He also enjoyed attending car shows, and going to trade lots and yard sales.
He was a natural storyteller, sticking to the facts, and was affectionately known as “the Mayor of Busick”. In his lifetime, he was a member of Mt. Mitchell Baptist Church, but had attended Peoples Church in Avery County. He enjoyed many things in life, but most importantly, he loved his family, especially his great-grandchildren, Raylan and Sadie. In his last years, he cherished taking his older sister, Thelma, out to breakfast. Memories of him will be cherished, and he will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him.
He is survived by his daughter, Regina Wyatt (Ronnie), and his son, Robert Glenn Effler (Michelle); four grandchildren: Brian Wilson (Tonia) and Kyle Wilson of Busick, and Adam Effler and Samuel Effler (Michelle) of Marion; two great-grandchildren: Raylan Wilson and Sadie Wilson; sister, Thelma Lockman of Marion; three stepchildren: ReJeanna Trice, Kristie Johnson, and Finley Johnson, Jr. (Angela), all of Newland; several other step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and other extended family as well.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5th in the chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. Rev. Chris Nance and Rev. Daniel Nance will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ballew Cemetery in Celo. Pallbearers will be Brian Wilson, Kyle Wilson, Adam Effler, Samuel Effler, Dwayne Painter and Charles Burgin. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to Peoples Church in Avery County to help rebuild due to the flood, in care of Amy Oaks at 300 Green Oaks Lane, Newland, NC 28657. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.yanceyfuneralservice.com.
