Mr Reginald Regis Gayles, Sr.

Reginald Regis Gayles, Sr. affectionately known as “Bubba” to his family and closest friends passed away on August 5, 2021, in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of seventy-four.

Reginald was born on June 16, 1947, in New Orleans, LA. to Dorothy (nee Veal) and Howard Gayles. Reginald was the third of eight siblings, Gloria “Puddin” Jones, Howard “Junior” Gayles, Jr, Sidney “Poochie” Gayles, Cynthia Bridges, Patricia “Tricia” Greenidge, Brenda “BB” Gayles, and Denise “Neicey” Bascome. Reginald was the last of his siblings to be born in Louisiana as Howard and Dorothy Gayles relocated to Oakland, CA and later to Richmond, CA.

Reginald was baptized at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Albany, CA and graduated from Richmond High School, Class of 1965, where he met his future bride, Jacqueline Stern. After high school Reginald was employed at Standard Oil (Chevron) and married Jacqueline on March 18, 1967. They were married 22 years and had two sons, Reginald II and Ramon. One day after an exhausting day of work Reginald told Jacqueline it was time for them to pursue a higher education. Reginald applied and was accepted to Arizona State University on a full scholarship. Reginald and Jacqueline relocated with an infant and a toddler in August of 1969 to Tempe, AZ. Reginald had a young wife and family, applied himself, graduating from ASU in 2.5 years earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences and Aerospace Technology.

Reginald was incredibly talented. He was ambidextrous, musically inclined, and held interests in many subjects such as politics, religion, philosophy, sociology, and the issues of the day. Reginald loved a good debate. He also loved jazz, playing the saxophone and piano. Reginald enjoyed playing with and listening to his brother, Howard.

Reginald’s hobbies included working on cars, riding motorcycles, car trips, concerts, and amusement parks with his family. Reginald built a Honda 750 cc chopper from the ground up. He, his brother Sidney, and friends enjoyed long motorcycle rides. Reginald was an avid weightlifter and enjoyed boxing and basketball as well.

Reginald had a varied employment history and lived in many states. He was employed by the State of Arizona Parole Dept., Marin County Probation Office, schoolteacher in Phoenix Unified School District, Director of Public Relations for County Connection Transportation. Reginald’s true happiness was on the road where he operated a tour bus in the southwestern parts of the U.S. Reginald also assisted his son, Ramon, with building his FedEx contractor’s business Gayles Logistics in Dallas, TX. Reginald never retired and worked as a security officer in Memphis, TN.

Reginald is survived by his former spouse Jacqueline Stern and sons, Reginald II, Ramon and all his siblings. Reginald also leaves behind two daughters, Tonya and Amber. Reginald has seven grandchildren, Arianna, Alexandra, Ramon S., Deanna, Jordan, Christian and Santana and two great-grandchildren, June and Arthur. Reginald was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy and Howard Gayles.

Reginald was a free spirit and a true Gemini. His infectious smile and charm will be missed.

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