Richard Henry Gayle, of Suffolk, passed away on July 28, 2016. He was born June 16, 1930, to the late James Elwood Gayle and Georgia Lee Nelms Gayle and was a native of Reid’s Ferry.

Richard made a living working numerous jobs, including driving charter buses and trucks for Kirk Lumber Company, but he spent most of his life farming. He was a lifetime member of the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department and a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was known in Chuckatuck as “Down Yonder” or “The Watermelon Man.”

He is survived by his daughters, Monica Lisa Gayle Wylie (Justin), Gisele Bradshaw; sisters, Joy Hamilton, Shirley Gayle, Brenda Wright (Mack); three grandchildren, Sumner, Jack and Evelyn Wylie; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1, at Alexander Baptist Church, 4316 Pamela Court, Chesapeake, with Dr. Bryan Ray officiating and a pig pickin’ and watermelon to follow. Condolences may be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.