Louis Woodard “Lou” Gaylor, 84, of Fayetteville passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.

He was born in Kenly, North Carolina on September 10, 1933 to Eula Jeanette and Worth Bagley Gaylor.  Lou was a retired Army Major, one of the original Green Berets, Special Forces.  After retiring, he spent 28 years in heavy haul 18 wheelers in management as a Vice President.  He loved this job.  Lou joined the Masons in 1953 in Japan, became a member of Yaarab Shrine in 1972, working his way up to Potentate of Yaarab Shrine Temple in 2008.

Lou was preceded in death by his first wife of 25 years and mother to his children, JoAnn Flemister Gaylor, who passed away in 1978; his daughter, LouAnn Gaylor; his brother, Worth Benjamin Gaylor; his sister, Frances Arlene Stuart; and his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Hazel Helms Gaylor; his children, Kathy Lynn Jones, Pamela Sue Dolden, Michael Louis Gaylor and Amanda Gail Mullins; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and several cousins.

A Celebration of Life Service was held 1 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2017 at Liberty Baptist Church, Fayetteville, with Dr. Randy Wood and Dr. J. W. Wallis officiating.  Burial  followed at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens in Forest Park, with full military honors and Masonic gravesite rites. Lou laid in state from 12 – 1 p.m. prior to the service. The family received friends from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday evening, December 21, 2017 at Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville, Ga.  Pallbearers included Jake Alvarado, Roger Darnell, Robert Tedisco, Lin Woodard, Mike Gaylor, Ricky Jackson and Adam Jones.

For those desiring, flowers may be sent or donations may be made in Lou’s memory to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc.

Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com