Funeral services for Gayle Lindon Surface, 85, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 17, 2026, at China Union Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Surface passed away Monday, April 13, 2026, at his home.

He was born June 28, 1940, in Texas County, Missouri, to Burton and Gladys Dennison Surface. Gayle graduated from West Plains High School in 1958. In 1959, he acquired a job with Sutherland Lumber Company in Ottumwa, Iowa. He wanted Edith to go with him, so they hurried and got married. Gayle and Edith were married September 3, 1959, at the residence of Reverend Victor Toney. They lived in Ottumwa for eight months, but were so homesick, they decided to move back home to West Plains. Gayle and Edith had a family of three children: Janet, Mark and Angela. Gayle eventually got a job with MODOT where he worked for 37 years, retiring in 1999. Mr. Surface was always a hard worker and loved being outside. He enjoyed having a farm with a few cows, making hay in the summertime and of course, he needed just a “few” John Deere tractors to use and tinker with. Gayle was a great carpenter, learning the trade from his father-in-law, Everett. He built several homes for his family and for others in different towns in his lifetime. For several years, Gayle and Edith were known for their Christmas light display in Pomona that reached down their lane and into their field. Several pieces of the display Gayle had welded together himself. After getting saved at a young age, Gayle always enjoyed going to church and taught his children to serve the Lord. He held several positions in the church during his lifetime. He and Edith always enjoyed having church get togethers every chance they got. Gayle always treasured times with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was always a fun time to be had when the Bragg and Surface families got together through the years. Gayle was lovingly taken care of by special caregivers, Brenda Haughsted, Yvonne Poppitz (whom he called Sunshine), special family friend, Emma Johnson and granddaughters, Ashley and Erika; all were a blessing to Gayle. For the past three weeks of his life, Gayle was under the loving care of Hospice Compassus. He always enjoyed seeing them come to help and visit.

He is survived by his wife, Edith Surface, of the family home; three children, Mark Surface and wife, Shelley, West Plains, Missouri, Janet Surface, West Plains, Missouri and Angela Earls and husband, Leland, Pomona, Missouri; six grandchildren, Ashley Gunter and husband, Darrin, Caulfield, Missouri, Britney Michel and husband, Tim, Cabool, Missouri, Kendra Smith and husband, Blake, Pomona, Missouri, Dedra Earls, Pomona, Missouri, Alexa Hocking and husband, Dave, Pomona, Missouri and Erika Newberry and husband, Keegan, Willow Springs, Missouri; eight great-grandchildren, Westin, Macy, Hudson, Colton, Rhett, Willow, Wade and Ruby; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one grandson, Dalton Earls, one great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Lexlee Smith, three brothers, Jerry, Burton and Lawrence Surface and one sister, Leota Eades, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at South Fork Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to South Fork Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.