Donald Gay

DONALD J. GAY, Lt. Colonel US Army (Retired) of St. Albans, passed away peacefully at Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston, on Monday, June 6, 2016, following prolonged illnesses. He was born October 29, 1929 in Glen Dale, and a son of his biological father, the late John W. Gay of New Jersey; his mother, the late Helen Josephine Gay Brown and his stepfather, the late Squire Denzil Brown of St. Albans. Don greatly loved and respected his stepfather, who raised and educated both Don and his brother, John, from early childhood. He was also preceded by two half-brothers (whom he never met), Norman A. Gay of Milford Pike, PA and Richard Stanley (Gay) Garrett of Passaic, NJ. Survivors include a loving brother and sister-in-law, John P. and Paddy Sue Gay, of Huntington, a special niece and goddaughter, Mrs. Julie Anne Gay Weekley (Chris), great-niece, Lauren Hope Murrell and great-nephew, Joshua Michael Murrell, all of Huntington, two special cousins, Joseph Kibert, Jr. of Glen Dale and Mrs. Helen Kibert Remke, Bellaire, OH; three half-brothers, Robert C. Gay, of Fair Lawn, NJ; Douglas F. Gay of Fayetteville, NC and Bruce Gaylen of Little Falls, NJ. Although Don never married, he was always there for family and friends, offering love and assistance to those in need. Following graduation from St. Albans High School, Don attended University of Dayton (OH) on a basketball scholarship. He later transferred to WVU where he graduated with a B.S. degree in forestry engineering. Don always had a deep passion for his alma mater’s sports programs, attending basketball and football games, both home and away, even occasionally in his wheelchair. While at WVU, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in its ROTC program, and following graduation, was called to duty in the US Army, where he initially served in the Armored Engineering Division at Fort Hood, TX before his final assignment in Paris, France. He then returned home two years later and joined the active Army Reserve. Prior to retirement, following 20 years of combined active and reserve duty, Don was promoted to Lt. Colonel in the US Army Reserve. In civilian life, he was employed as a field engineer with OXY-USA, researching gas and oil fields throughout the Appalachian region, retiring after 33 years of service. An avid WVU fan, Don maintained lasting friendships with Coach Don Nehlen, Gale Catlett and former A.D. Eddie Pastilong. Through his kind generosity, an endowment was established to WVU’s Athletic Department to honor his mother, Mrs. Helen J. Brown. In 1991, he was recognized as WSAZ’s “Hometown Hero” in recognition of outstanding community service, for chairing WVU’s Mountaineer Athletic Scholarship dinners for many years, along with close friends, the late Cecil Broom and William Powell. Don was bestowed the “Distinguished West Virginian” award at the 2009 MAC Scholarship dinner by former Governor Joe Manchin. He was a charter member of the so-called “Downtown Coaches’ Association”, a spoof headed by Gazette sports editor, the late A. L. (“Shorty”) Hardman. Additionally, Don was a fervent world traveler, attending many worldwide International Olympics games. Don possessed a generous and kind-hearted personae we all admired, which will be sorely missed by his loving family. Deep thanks is conveyed to the medical staff at Thomas Memorial’s ICU-CCU, the Visiting Angels nurses, Dr. Pinson’s Traveling M.D.’s team as well as the StoneRise home health nursing personnel. We are particularly grateful for the faithful care provided Don over the years by his caregiver, Mrs. Karen Nicholas. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 9th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans, with a funeral mass celebration by Reverend Fr. Patrick McDonough on Friday, June 10th at 11:00 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi, St. Albans, where Don was a faithful, long-standing member since 1938. Committal will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park’s Mausoleum. A luncheon reception will be held afterwards at St. Francis School’s gymnasium. Pallbearers will be Messrs. Billy Noel; James Higginbotham; David Snyder; Richard Smith; Joseph Kibert, Jr. and Christopher Weekley. Flowers will be welcomed or donations may be made to either St. Francis of Assisi Church or its School, 1023 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans, 25177. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned and located at 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans is honored to serve the Gay family. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge will award to me on that day. II Timothy 4-7-8”.

Donald Gay

October 29, 1929 - June 6, 2016