Gayle was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 7, 1925. He passed away peacefully on January 26, 2017.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty H. Sudduth; daughter, Sharon Dubuque, and husband, Ray; daughter, Suzanne Kennedy, and husband David; brother, Henry LaVaughan Sudduth; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and his canine companion, Jacque. Gayle is preceded in death by his mother, Lannie Rowe Sudduth; father, Henry LaVaughan Sudduth, Sr.; brother, Rowe Sudduth; and sister, Claire Price.

Gayle attended Gulf Coast Military Academy, and at the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard.to support our World War II campaign. He spent over 3 years serving our county and received an Honorable Discharge in 1946. Upon returning, Gayle attended the University of Florida and the University of Alabama.

Gayle loved spending time sailing, scuba diving and fishing. He and some of his friends once caught a huge sawfish and had their picture published in the News Herald. Gayle spent many years building houses and doing underwater construction. His company, Underwater Service & Engineering, operated primarily in Bay County and the surrounding areas. One of his specialties was the placement of underwater communication cables for Southern Bell. Gayle combined his love of the water and his love traveling the world by working for many years with Seal Fleet, Inc. as a Ship's Engineer.

A graveside service to celebrate Gayle's life will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, corner of 17th St. and Lisenby Ave. at 3 PM on Sunday, January 29, 2017, with Dr. John Friedman officiating. Honorary pallbearers are LaVaughan Sudduth, Ray Dubuque, David Kennedy, Scott Dubuque, Alton Gorum, and Y. H. Christo, Jr. Thank you to the loving and compassionate staff of Bay Medical Sacred Heart and Covenant Hospice at Bay Medical. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bay County Humane Society or to Covenant Hospice.