Guy Austin Gay, age 90, passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2023. Guy was born on February 20, 1933, in Brooks County, Georgia to the late Sam and Bessie Gay.
Guy joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and spent many years serving his country aboard the USS Saratoga and the USS Independence. He did 2 tours in the Mediterranean during the Korean War. He was proud of his military service and loved God and his Country.
He was a devout Christian and longtime member of River Road Baptist Church. Guy spent many hours cooking and serving meals for Senior Day alongside his wife, Beth, Billy Smith and fellow church members.
He is survived by his wife and soul mate of 66 years, Laura Beth Gay, Children: Teresa Crosby (Bryon), Patricia Ayers (Corky), Bill Gay (Lynn) & Paul Gay. Grandchildren: Bethany Curtin (Taylor), Lauren Peterson (Tyler), Shannon Crosby, Mischelle Ayers (Eric Marshall), Michael Ayers (Leslie) Autumn Holliman (Michael) & Jaron Gay (Emma). Great-Grandchildren: Mea Ayers, Chase Ayers, Rhea Marshall, Jayden Holliman, Josiah Rader, Titus Lewis, Alex LaFauce, Liam Dufresne, Abigail McCoin & Gabriel Gay. Sisters: Linda Plymel (Derell), Elizabeth Glass (Jimmy) and Betty Ann Holmes (Roger). He was preceded in death by brothers, Raymond Gay, Jack Gay, Frank Gay and sister, Mildred Sparks.
The Family would like to extend a special thank you to the Veteran’s Administration of Jacksonville, Cornerstone Caregiving and Community Hospice & Palliative Care for their care and support.
Funeral services will be held on December 15, 2023, at 11:00am at River Road Baptist Church, 21067 County Road 121, Hilliard, Florida. Pastors James Connor, Benjie Loyd, & Hal McIntosh officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00am followed by the service at 11:00. A luncheon will be provided by the church immediately following the church service. The funeral procession to the Jacksonville National Cemetery (4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL) will leave the church at 1:00pm for a service with military honors to begin at 2:00pm.
The Family kindly requests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in memory of Guy to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257, Wreaths Across America to help fund the placing of a Christmas wreath on every veteran’s gravesite or The Hampton Scholarship Fund at River Road Baptist Church.
River Road Baptist Church
River Road Baptist Church
Jacksonville National Cemetery
Traci Taylor
December 9, 2023, 7:17 pm
I loved Uncle Guy. He was always so humble and so kind. I know he will be dearly missed.
Susan Mohr
December 16, 2023, 10:17 am
Aunt Beth and all the family we are sending you our prayers and sympathies at your time of mourning for Uncle Guy. We love all of you and miss uncle Guy already. 🙏 Bobby, Maggie Moore and Ed, Susan & boys – Mohr