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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 two 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 is on staff at First Baptist Church in Rockport where he serves as the Technical Media Director (audio and video ministries) while also serving as the soundman for The John Springer Family and 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 loves playing for God's glory!

Abel Almendarez is a Chaplain for Vista Care Hospice of Corpus Christi. He is also a Part-time Pastor for Senior Adults at First Baptist Portland.

Abel was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas, and received a teaching degree from Texas A & M University-Kingsville. He taught Special Ed both at Harlingen and Gregory-Portland schools. Abel has also earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Theology.

Abel and his wife, Melinda, have been happily married for 19 years and are the parents of two sons, 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 is retired from CPL but continues to do consulting work for Port Industries of Corpus Christi. He is married to Nancy (Bass) Curlee. They have one daughter and are proud grandparents to four
grandkids. In addition to singing Tom enjoys golfing, hunting,
fishing and snow skiing.

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

For more information on this gospel quartet or for booking information please contact Cmdr. Gary Howard at 361-205-2789, or write “Rockport’s Gospel Force” c/o First Baptist Church, 1515 N. Live Oak St. Rockport, Texas 78382.
Email address is
grhoward76@gmail.com