Aubrey Byron Gulledge, 81, of Auburn, Alabama, left our earthly presence on Thursday, August 4, 2016, at his home.
Byron was born in Foley, Alabama on Jan. 24, 1935 to the late Emmett and Inez Gulledge.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Reba; two sons, Barney (Connie) and Glen (Stephanie) Gulledge; and daughter, Regena (George) Spence; six grandchildren, Michael (Lauren) Gulledge, Patricia (Steve) Schellinger, Aubrey and Shelby Gulledge and Josh and Jeb Spence; one great-grandson, Michael Byron Gulledge III - "Trace" or "little man" as his Paw-Paw lovingly called him. Byron is also survived by his brother, Robert Gulledge; and a sister, Mary Carolyn (Ronnie) McDaniel, both of Baldwin County, Alabama; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Byron retired from Uniroyal in 1984 and started Byron's Smokehouse with the urging of his children. His smiling face working the pit and friendly one-hand wave will be missed by many.
Working side by side with his son Glen brought him many years of happiness until retiring to spend more time with the love of his life, Reba.
Byron was born and raised in Summerdale, Alabama, where he was a World Champion Steer Showman. He graduated from Foley High School and is a member of the Foley High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Auburn Athletics and his grandchildren's sporting events were the highlights of his days. Whether it was football, baseball, basketball, softball, tennis, or golf, he rarely missed attending, watching on TV or listening in on the radio.
Spending time on Lake Martin with his family and friends of "Not-Cho Cove" always put a smile on Byron's face. Sitting on the porch of his lake house and watching his grandchildren and their friends enjoying the water and taking his nightly lake baths with his grandsons are many of the memories of those who loved him and lovingly called him "Mr. Byron" or "Paw-Paw."
Byron was a member of Parkway Baptist Church, and Dr. Jeff Redmond will be officiating the funeral service on Monday, August 8, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel with interment following at Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation hours will be Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, from 4-6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rileigh/Raylee Angel Ride Foundation in honor of Byron's great niece, Rileigh Glass, P.O. Box 209, Montrose, AL 36559.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is directing, www.jeffcoattrant.com.
