Ray Yeakle Gildea Jr., age 86, died Monday, October 19, 2009 at Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle in Columbus MS. Services will be held Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Sam Morris officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to service. Graveside services with military honors will be held on Saturday October 24, 2009 at 12 PM at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Gildea, born on Sunday, May 20, 1923 in Baltimore, MD., was the only child of the late Ray Yeakle and Florence Fownes Gildea Sr,. He graduated from Gilman School in Baltimore and later, Cornell University, which he left to enter active military service in April, 1943. Dr. Gildea served for three years in the U.S. Army, participating in the Okinawa Campaign. Majoring in agricultural economics, he completed a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell, and was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity. He later obtained a Master of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Virginia in 1950. Dr. Gildea was subsequently awarded a Doctor of Education degree, also in Geography, from this same university in 1970. After graduating from college, he began working as a mapping assistant for the Army Map Service, and was later employed with S.S. Pennock Company, a wholesale florist. He also was employed as a market information specialist in the Virginia Department of Agriculture. Dr. Gildea then began a thirty-six year teaching career in Geography and related social sciences, holding teaching positions at the University of Florida, Auburn University, and Louisiana State University before rising to the level of Professor at the Mississippi University for Women while teaching there from 1962 to 1979. He completed his teaching career as a visiting professor at both Southeast Texas State University, and later, for thirteen years, at the University of Alabama where he retired in 1998. During his career, Professor Gildea published numerous articles and several books on a variety of research topics related to western Africa, environmental conservation, and land-use issues. He was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America. Dr. Gildea was a member of a number of professional and academic societies including the National Council of Geographic Education, the Association of American Geographers, Pi Gamma Mu, Phi Delta Kappa, and Gamma Theta Upsilon. Upon his retirement as a Special Visiting Professor, the University of Alabama chose to re-name their Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Geography in his honor. Dr. Gildea also received a lifetime achievement award from the Mississippi Wildlife Federation for his writings and teachings related to environmental conservation. The British-based Royal Geographical Society also named a major scholarship to commemorate his contributions. Professor Gildea was instrumental in establishing a scholarship program for adult conservationists administered by the Soil and Water Conservation Society of America who has given scholarships to deserving students in related fields for over forty years. A Centennial Scholarship to recognize his devotion to his students was established at Mississippi University for Women in 1995. The scholarship is given annually to adult students with a strong interest in a career in teacher. Survivors include: His Wife of 57 years Gertrude Serby Gildea of Columbus MS One Daughter: Patricia Mae Gildea, Princeton, NJ Three Sons: Ray Myron Gildea, Madison, MS Brian William Gildea, Mt Pleasant, SC Barry Yeakle Gildea (Anna Karpovich), Memphis, TN Nine Grandchildren: Hannah Teresa Gildea Juliana Clytee Gildea Matthew Emery Long Patrick Gildea Long Dorothy Fownes Long Trevor Ryan Andrews Gildea Elizabeth Jake Gildea William Wells Liam Gildea Gregory Cleveland Brannick, Jr. Memorials may be made to: Columbus-Lowndes Public Library 314 7th Street North Columbus, MS 39701
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