Gayle Roudabush

Gayle Raymond Roudabush, 91 of Columbia, SC passed away peacefully on January 30, 2024; in the presence of his loving wife Gay Winter, after fighting two years of vascular dementia.

Gayle was born in Muskegon, Michigan where his passion for country and water started at an early age. He was passionate about his country having served in both the Navy and Air Force, retiring in 1970. Gayle joined the Navy (when he was “17 years and 4 days old”) servingaboard the USS Saipan & later becoming a parachute rigger. He continued his military service with the Air Force where he became highly skilled in general and radar electronics, serving with the Inspector General Team in Vietnam.

After his Military Service, he continued to use his electronics’ skills in two career fields in Michigan; defense military sales and large equipment / health care sales. After leaving “corporate life” Gayle continued to apply hissales & engineering skills by owning and operating a mobile furniture repair franchise.

Gayle spent many weekends & later in retirement focused on his love of water and wood at the helm of a Grand Banks Trawler. Many friends nicknamed Gayle “Captain” because over his lifetime, he owned & piloted several boats including:  a 17 ft fishing/skiing runabout graduated to a sailboat then to a 42 ft wood Grand Banks Trawler and later to a 46-foot wood Grand Banks pilot house trawler.

He and Gay commuted to work from and later lived aboard the Trawlers for seventeensummers at the Detroit Yacht Club eventually moving aboard full time and cruising the Rivers of the Eastern U.S. and the Atlantic Ocean for 2.5 years. Claiming Columbia as home in 2006& trading the boat for a lovely home & wood hobby shop.

Gayle enjoyed working with his hands, working with wood and building. He designed and builttheir first home in Michigan. He valued the attention to detail that building entailed. While here in Columbia, he planned and managed two major remodels to their final residence.

In his younger years he was an avid skeet shooter, winning several awards. Remote-controlled gas-powered airplanes became a passion in his later years.  He was an active member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.He was well-loved by many friends whom he thought of as “family.” He touched so many people's lives with his kindness and outgoing nature.

Gayle is survived by his wife of 44 years, Gay Winter. He is also survived by a son; Michael (Emilie); grandchildren, Stacey, Connor, &Katie; and a special cousin, Pat (Walt) Karr. Daughter, Teri Lynn preceded him in death.

Visitation with the family will be held, followed by a memorial service at St Andrews Presbyterian Church 6952 St. Andrews Road. Columbia. SC.

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 6952 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212.