Gayle "Tread" Treadaway

November 11, 1933 - February 12, 2026

Obituary

MADISON – Gayle J. Treadaway, age 92, passed away at his home on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Tread was born on November 11, 1933, to Edwin and Isabel (Clew) Treadaway in New Orleans. He grew up in New Orleans and joined the US Air Force. After returning he married the love of his life, Marlene Reinitz on May 30, 1953. Tread worked a small variety of positions, including, bread delivery, real estate, and at Oscar Mayer. After retirement, he joined his son Matt with his business, Matt’s Express. When Matt fell ill, with type 1 diabetes, he donated his kidney, saving his son and the business. Many years later when the company was sold, he volunteered for Dane County Parks for 25 years. He planted hundreds of trees in the Dane County area, especially at Donald, Cherokee, and Token Creek parks.

Tread had a natural sense of wonder and many interests, including, oil and water color painting, carving, black smithing, carpentry, masonry, owning sports cars like MG, Triumph, and a Corvette, Karate, Tai Chi, running, bicycling, reading, especially history, collecting antique firearms, cooking, wine making, calligraphy, gardening, and traveling with his family.

Tread and Marlene always threw parties for New Years Eve and Independence Day. The Fourth of July will never be the same without his cannon. Tread was a very generous person who helped many and will be missed by all.

Tread is survived by his sons, Mark (Mary), Mike (Mary Jo) and Matt; grandchildren, Nicole (John) Loffredo, Laura (Kurt) Beres, Tyler, and Tori (Quenten)Venter; and great grandchildren, Devon (Jaafer) Alkhafaji; Izzy, Aubrey, and Elise Beres, Piper Schmitt and Luka Venter. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, many other family and friends. Tread is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Marlene; siblings, Edwin Jr. “Inky” (Bernice), Harry, Gloria (Billy) Frank, Mary Lou (Jerry) Willard, Bill (Evonne), and Fawn (Lee).

A Celebration of Life will be held on a later date.

A special thank you to UW Hospital and Moments Hospice Care for their kindness, compassion, and support. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dane County Parks or the American Kidney Foundation. To view his obituary and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
608-249-8257

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Dennis Whittaker

Friend • 4 hours ago

Dear Cheryl and Family, I am very saddened by Jim's passing. I was honored and privileged to have served with Jim in Combat in Vietnam. I was Jim's platoon leader in I Corps, South Vietnam with the Americal Division, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Delta Company, 3rd Platoon (nicknamed "Killer Platoon" years prior to our arrival In Country). Jim came to us in late March, 1971, together with other experienced soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division Airmobile. I listened and learned from them. Jim was a quiet but courageous warrior. He never complained about anything. We (most of the time 17 in number) spent 12 to 14 days and nights in the field attempting to make contact with the enemy. We then were relocated out of the field to an artillery base (primarily Firebase Centre) to help provide security around the perimeter of the firebase for three days.. We would then return to the field and repeat the field and firebase support adventure for a total of six weeks. Once in a while, we would be sent on a special mission. We were then allowed to return to Division Headquarters (either in Chu Lai or near Da Nang) for a 3 day "respite" prior to returning back to the field. Jim was professional, dependable, responsible, accountable, capable and reliable. Although we returned permanently home from "Nam" 54 years ago, I enjoyed many phone conversations with Jim and other platoon members for well over a decade. My last talk with Jim was late last year. We talked for a while, and he never mentioned his health issues--that was Jim. I always felt that my platoon members were my responsibility, and I therefore thought of them as "my kids"--some who were older, but they were all my family. I honestly feel a great loss for Jim's passing, as I owe my safe return home from the War due to Jim and my men with whom we spent many perilous hours, days and nights. Please know that he was well respected and liked . Very Sincerely, Dennis Whittaker, a former 1st Lieutenant I sent two photos of Jim which I took in Vietnam.