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Meet the Gospel Force

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 Chief Tim Jayroe began his career in law enforcement with the Tyler Police Department where he served for 18 years. While there Jayroe worked in the patrol, criminal investigations and narcotic divisions. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant with the Tyler Police Department. Chief Jayroe came to the Rockport Police Department in July of 1989. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy and holds a Masters Degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. Chief Jayroe is married to Nita Jayroe and they have three sons and three grandsons.

Commander Gary Howard began his career in law enforcement with the Aransas County Sheriff’s Department where he worked for 5 years and then worked for the Rockport Police Department from May of 1983 until his retirement in December of 2008 totaling 30 years of service in law enforcement. Gary at the time of his retirement was the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division. He is a 1992 graduate of the Texas Law Enforcement Management Institute. Gary graduated from Texas A & M University (Corpus Christi) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Gary is currently on the faculty of the University of Phoenix where he teaches college undergraduate courses in Criminal Justice and Management.

Since his retirement Gary serves as the soundman for the Singing Men of South Texas. Howard is married to Patty Howard, and they have two sons and one grandchild.

Becky Livingston is the pianist for the Gospel Force quartet. Becky has been with the quartet since it’s beginning in 1994. Becky was born and raised in Rockport and she is the pianist for the First Baptist Church of Rockport. She is married to Joe Howard Livingston, and they have two daughters and eight grandchildren. Becky is active in leading Ladies Bible Studies at First Baptist Church and loves playing the piano for God's glory! “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31

Abel Almendarez enjoys staying busy with many areas of ministry along with singing with the Gospel Force.  His full time job is being a Spiritual Care Coordinator at Gentiva Hospice, ministering to patients and their families all over the Coastal Bend area during their end of life journey.  He also works part time at First Baptist Church in Portland.  As the Music Minister he plans and leads the worship services and music programs. This area includes directing a very talented praise band and choir.  He is also privileged to be the Minister to the Senior Adults.  Here he enjoys planning monthly dinners and entertainment as well as fun day trips as time allows.  Leading weekly services at several local assisted living facilities and filling in to preach when needed, keeps him challenged and fulfills his love for preaching God's Word. Abel says his visits with these "Young at Heart" has given him more love and encouragement than he could ever give in return.

And his most important area of ministry is to his family.  He is a loving husband to his wife Melinda and fabulous father to his two boys, Drew and Adrian.

Tom Curlee is a member of the First Baptist Church of Portland, Texas. He grew up in Edna, Texas and a graduate of Texas A & I College in Kingsville, Texas. Tom retired from CPL in 1995 and continued to do consulting work for Port Industries of Corpus Christi until 2014. He is married to Nancy (Bass) Curlee. They have one daughter and are proud grandparents to four grandkids. Tom enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing in addition to participating in the Shoreline Ministry in Taft and the Gospel Force Quartet ministry.

Click Here to View Photos of Past & Present Members of the Gospel Force

For more information on the Rockport Gospel Music Festival, or the Gospel Force Quartet, please contact Gary Howard at R.G.M.F. @ P. O. Box 2643, Rockport, Texas, 78381, or call 361.205.2789. Email address is grhoward76@gmail.com.