Mr. Ernest Gayle Frye, 80, of Mount Airy, passed away Thursday morning, March 7, 2024, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. He was born on August 15, 1943 in Surry County to the late Edgar and Elza Adkins Frye. Mr. Frye proudly served our country in the United States Navy and retired with 25 years of service. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 30 years; Vicky Wagoner Frye; daughters and sons-in-law, Lynette Connelly, Melissa McMillian (Anthony), Heather Salley (Thomas); sons and daughters-in-law, Scott Frye (Jennifer), Todd Frye (Michelle), Jeff Frye (Erin Rousey), Tim Lakey (Kim) ; twenty two grandchildren and twenty one great-grandchildren; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Chris Wagoner, Mary Frances Frye and Kathy Frye; special friends Bob Welch and Gary Bumgardner as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents Mr. Frye was preceded in death by brothers, Jimmy, Brock, Grady, and Winfred Frye. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mt. Airy with service conducted by Pastor Scott Meadows. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard and the VFW Memorial Honor Guard Post #2019 of Mt. Airy and Post #9436 of Pilot Mountain . The family will receive friends on Thursday afternoon from 12:00 PM until the time for the service at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made in honor of Mr. Frye to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.