Gary Marlin Prevatte, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on August 30, 2022 surrounded by his family.  Gary was born in Lumberton, NC on March 28, 1946 to the late Howard Prevatte and Vada Mae Barnes Prevatte.  He was a longtime resident of Isle of Wight County, but grew up and attended school on the Peninsula in the Buckroe area of Hampton.  Gary was a United States Army veteran having served during the Vietnam War as a gunner with the 9 ^th Infantry, 1 ^st Battalion, 11 ^th Artillery. He was proud to be one of the "Old Reliables". Gary received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, 2 overseas bars, the Jungle Expert patch, and the Expert Rifle Badge M-14. During his leave from bootcamp, he married his beautiful wife, Mary Ellen. After being discharged from the Army, Gary worked in the construction business. He was known for his carpentry and concrete skills building homes and forming underground storm drain drop inlet boxes. Over the years, he worked on many construction projects throughout Southeastern Virginia in the Hampton Roads area. He was a respected expert in the underground utility business and a master operator of heavy equipment. He operated his own business for a period of time; first, K&G Builders and later Blackwater Builders, Inc. He was formerly employed by Peninsula Engineering, Floyd B. Smith Contracting, Rountree Construction Company, and Cinter Construction where he retired as a utility supervisor.  Although Gary was serious about his work, he played even harder. He loved a good time, and even made work fun for those working alongside of him. He spent many days listening to classic country music and cooking up something for the crew over an open fire right on the jobsite. He enjoyed attending Nascar races over the years with as many of his friends and family that he could round up to go along. He loved BBQ cookouts, Halloween parties, Oyster Roasts, fishing with his brother, Jay, playing Roulette at Harrington Casino, gardening, fixing lawn equipment for his neighbors, browsing the flea markets with Mary, and enjoying a cold Natural Light, and on occasion, a sip of sweet blackberry wine. Gary was a skilled jack of many trades and could fix or build anything he set his mind to. But above all, he was a dedicated husband, daddy, grandaddy, and friend leaving behind a beautiful legacy.  Gary was also a member of the American Legion Post #25 and the V.F.W. #4411.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his eldest brother, Bobby Ray Prevatt, in-laws, Randolph L. and Pauline Orebaugh, brother-in-law, John R. (Buster) Horne, Sr., niece, Pamela Ann Prevatte, and countless other loved ones.

Gary is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Mary Ellen Orebaugh Prevatte; daughter, Marlene Kay Skinner (David "Scott"); adopted son, Curtis "Junior" Bolen, Jr. (Teresa); grandchildren, Brooklynne Burden (Jesse), Devin Skinner (Lexy); great grandchildren, Brantley Witt and Carson Burden; brother, James H. Prevatte (Mary Ann); aunt, Linda Paulhamus (Paul), and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory with Chaplain Vicki Reason officiating.  Friends may join the family for a time of visitation Friday night, September 9, 2022 from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial with military honors will be on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to www.freedomhunters.org.

The family would also like to thank the Heartland Hospice Team – Elizabeth Klutz, Ashley Echols, Michelle Bates, Vicki Reason, Carol, Latoya, and special friend Toni Davis for their loving care and compassion.

Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.