Ward Gailey III

Ward Gailey III, 73, passed away peacefully with his wife and son by his side at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center Monday, January 13th, 2025. He was a noted vocal/choral music educator and director, professional operatic tenor, published composer and arranger, and choral competition adjucator. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from University of South Carolina, and continued his studies at the University of Illinois where he received his Master of Music Degree in performance with emphasis on opera. At Illinois he studied under James Bailey, David Lloyd, William Warfield, and Eric Dalhiem and was stage manager for performances at Krannert Center of Performing Arts. Mr. Gailey's introduction to teaching choral music was at Hardaway High School in Columbus, GA, where his choirs consistently received superior ratings. He also taught high school choirs in Dekalb, Rockdale and Clayton counties, and at Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA, and Atlanta Metropolitan State College. Beginning in high school, he sang and directed choirs at various churches in South Carolina and Georgia. He had the unique opportunity of singing High Holy Days at the Temple in Atlanta. At various times Mr. Gailey sang with Capitol City Opera Company, Americolor Opera Alliance, Huntsville Opera Theater, and C.W. Post Summer Opera of Long Island. Some of his favorite operatic roles were Don Jose in "Carmen", Canio in "Pagliacci", and Tamino in "Magic Flute". In his various performances, he had the privilege to sing Mozart "Requiem" at Southwestern College with President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter in attendance. He had the distinction of creating the roles of Franklin Herndon in "The Herndon's" and Monsieur Papa "LaFargue" and Captain Edward John Smith in "LaRoche". Composed by Dr. Sharon J. Willis of Americolor Opera Alliance; both operas were world premieres. He is survived by his wife Linda (Lin) Machemer Gailey, son, Jonathan (Melissa) Gailey, grandchildren, James and Evelyn Gailey; mother, Betty Jean Gailey, sister, Alyson Gailey of Columbia, SC; Michael (Cindy) Gailey of Ashville, NC: Numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held Saturday, February 1st, at 2:30 PM at Epiphany Lutheran Church, Conyers, GA. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Epiphany Lutheran Church or National Kidney Foundation. The family would like to thank the staffs of the hospital ICU and Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care. He was music and music was him. Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.

Ward Gailey III

January 13, 1952 - January 13, 2025