Earland “Pete” Burke Gay, Jr. peacefully departed this life on November 11, 2024, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN. He was 80 years old.
He was born to the late Earland “Pete” Burke Gay, Sr. and Elsie Lois Forrester Gay on June 5, 1944, in Memphis, TN. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Memphis. After working for Holiday Inn and General Foods, he retired from the United States Treasury as an officer in the Internal Revenue Service.
Pete had a servant’s heart, and he loved helping others achieve their goals. He loved God, his family, and his church. He was a member of Englewood Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School when needed. Studying the Bible and sharing what he learned was a passion.
Pete was a loving husband and father. His greatest desire and commitment was to be a good husband to Leigh and a good father to Emily, Matt and Andy. Pete wanted his children to love God and to pass their faith on to their children. He was a beloved grandfather known as “Pappy Pete” or Papete” to his nine grandchildren. His greatest treasure was his faith and his family.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Charlotte Leigh Gay; devoted children, Emily Stuver (David), Matthew Gay (Leigh Ann), and Andrew Gay (Alissa); grandchildren, David Stuver (Sarah), Lydia Stuver, Matthew Stuver (Erin), Micah Pasquarelli (Luke), Hannah Stuver, Eli Gay, Luke Gay, Sarah Gay and Laura Gay; and siblings, Michael Gay (Martha Jean), Becky Heinsz (Steve) and Larry Gay (Jan).
SERVICES: The funeral service to honor Pete’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday November 15, 2024, in the Chapel of Englewood Baptist Church with Dr. Adam Dooley officiating. The burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
The family will be receiving friends on Friday, November 15, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing until the time of the service in the chapel of Englewood Baptist Church.
Pallbearers to serve will be Eli Gay, Wayne Kemp, Nick Nordtvedt, Luke Pasquarelli, Mike Raines, and Forrest Ross. Honorary pallbearer will be Luke Gay.
His kind and loving nature touched all who knew him, and his memory will continue to inspire his family and friends. As we remember Pete, we celebrate his life, his values and the profound impact he had on those around him.
