Gaylon Drake Couch

Gaylon Drake Couch was born on December 28, 1958 along with his twin brother Chaylon in Sikeston Missouri to Deneen & Oneta Couch. The Couch twins were the youngest of four with two older brothers, Randy and Carol. They were later joined by their adopted sister Joyce. Gaylon was a boy scout, member of a traveling children’s choir, wrestled and played football.

After graduating from Sikeston High School in 1977 he joined the US Air Force. He served three years being stationed primarily in Wyoming. After his discharge he moved to Palm Springs California. He worked as a trainer and manager at Gold Gym. During this time he competed in the weight liftin circuit. While working at Gold’s Gym he met his future wife Sally. They were married June 30, 1984.

In June of 1992, the family which now included two daughters, moved to Salem Oregon. Gaylon worked as an HVAC technician until he discovered his true calling. He applied to and became an Oregon State Trooper in June 1994.

Gaylon spent 20 years of his life investing into his career as a Trooper. This eventually took him and his family from Salem to Grants Pass. In 1997 he received the Harold Berg Lifesaving Award for his actions during the New Year’s flood of 1996.

In May 2007 he became a member of the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad. He also took on the duties of Arson Investigator. It was there he completed his successful twenty year career. He had many more personal and professional accomplishments than can be listed. This includes the completion of his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Counseling and Divinity.

Gaylon served as an elder on the board of Parkway Christian Center where he was also a member of the worship team.

Gaylon Couch is survived by his wife Sally Couch of Grants Pass; his children, Alyssa Couch of Grants Pass and Courtney Anderson of Eugene; his siblings Carol Couch, Chaylon Couch and Joyce Couch Kincade of Sikeston Missouri.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Randy Couch.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be given in Gaylon’s honor to the Oregon State Police Fallen Trooper Memorial at www.ospmemorial.org; Royal Family Kids Camp: Parkway Christian Center, 229 NE Beacon Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526; or Southern Oregon Humane Society.

A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Parkway Christian Center in Grants Pass.