Gayers celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

Shirley Ann and Archie Gayer of Dayton are celebrating their 50 wonderful years together on March 1.

They were married in Pittsburgh, Pa., at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church on March 1, 1969.

Archie is from Tarzana, Calif. and was in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Ft Devens, Mass., just outside of Boston, attending advanced training in summer 1968. Shirley attended Robert Morris University and was working for Action Housing. Archie’s family was in Pittsburgh for business. Archie and Shirley met on a blind date in Pittsburgh arranged by Archie’s brother, Robert. After four long-distance dates, they knew they were in love, and on the fifth date Archie proposed and Shirley accepted. Two months later, they were married. On April 1, 1969, Archie was sent to Vietnam.

In December 1969, Shirley had their son, Archie III. Upon returning from Vietnam, Archie was later assigned to Rothwesten, West Germany, where he was stationed with Shirley for two and a half years. While in Europe, they had their second child, a baby girl, Josephine Ann, in December 1971.

After being discharged from the Army in 1972, they lived in Southern California. Archie went to work for Northrop Aircraft, where he advanced to director of Programs. Shirley took care of the kids before going back to work and becoming corporate controller for Moorpark Country Club.

Throughout the years, Shirley and Archie enjoyed traveling. Taking many trips throughout Europe, Hawai’i and cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South Pacific. Upon retiring Shirley and Archie moved to Dayton in 2004. They continued to celebrate their anniversary on the Big Island of Hawai’i. When Shirley sees articles, television shows and movies with locations she’s been to from around the world, she always says “I’ve been there” with a loving smile.