J. Bronson Gale, 87, of Smithfield, VA, passed away May 15, 2006. He was the son of the late Edith Lane Gale and Joseph Bronson Gale. In 1948 he and his brother, Bob, established Gale Electric Company which later became Gale Company. They retired in 1982.

Bronson was a member of Smithfield Baptist Church. He was a member of the Smithfield Union Masonic Lodge #18. He was also a founder and charter member of Smithfield's Chamber of Commerce. He was a past member of the Smithfield Town Council and past president of the Smithfield Rotary Club.

Bronson was predeceased by his wife, Mary Keathley Gale and a brother, Robert W. Gale. He is survived by his daughter, Bobbie Lynn Gale Laubach of Yorktown, VA; a son, Donald Bronson Gale of Smithfield, VA; grandchildren, Dr. Sharon Lynn Laubach and her husband, Andrew Mishkin of Pasadena, CA, and Lt. Commander Jonathan Bronson Laubach of Hawaii; sister and brother-in-law, E. Lane Gale Beale and Carl M. Beale, Jr. of Smithfield, VA; sister-in-law, Charlotte Hutter Gale of Smithfield, VA; and many nephews.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 19, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Memorial Park with Rev. Jarvis Hearn officiating. Masonic Rites will be held. Friends are invited to join the family following the service at the home of his sister's at 101 Beale Avenue, Smithfield, VA for further time of remembrance. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Gale Music Scholarship Fund c/o Smithfield Baptist Church, 100 Wainwright Dr. Smithfield, VA 23430 or the Isle of Wight Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 97, Smithfield, VA 23431. Parr Funeral Home, Suffolk, VA is serving the family. Condolences may also be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.