SGM Wyatt Leon Gay

SGM Wyatt Leon Gay

SGM Wyatt Leon Gay
September 8, 1936 – April 11, 2020

WENDELL – SGM Wyatt Leon Gay, 83, made his ascension to Glory early Saturday morning.  He was born in Wayne Co. to the late Leonard William & Flora Leigh Johnson Gay.  After 42 years of service, he retired from the Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Rose Pace Gay.

He is survived by his children, David Gay (Connie), Donna Emerson (Brad), Donald Gay (Lorrie), Ric Chamblee, Ginny Upchurch (Jeffrey) & Tammy Liverman (Jimmy); sisters, Betty McDade & Evelyn Williams; brother, Sherrill Gay (Kay); grandchildren, Joshua Gay, Kristen Brooks (D.J.), Daniel McGee, Aaron McGee, Hannah Baker, Brandon Gay, Jenna Privette (Andrew) & Jamie Wilson (Tyler) & 5 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, East Wake Relay for Life.

A Private Graveside Service will be held at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens.  Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third St., Wendell. www.stricklandfuneral.com

34 Comments

  • Carolyn Parker Posted April 12, 2020 12:04 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about Wyatt’s passing. My heart breaks a little bit more as another one of our friends is lost to us. My prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time.

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:26 pm

      Thank you. We appreciate you prayers.

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:40 pm

      Thank you for the kind words and prayers. We greatly appreciate them.

  • SGM Linwood W. Rhodes. Posted April 12, 2020 2:53 pm

    What a good friend had many good times in the NC National Guard. Gone but never will be forgotten. PRAISE BE TO THE LORD!

    • Donna Emerson Posted April 12, 2020 5:19 pm

      He thought so much of you Linwood. David, Donald and I have so many good memories of our families being together. He will truly be missed and was one of the good ones. Please keep in touch.

  • Pat and David Penny Posted April 12, 2020 5:35 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! God bless you!!

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:27 pm

      Thank you Pat and David. We appreciate it greatly.

  • The Power Family (Clayton) Posted April 12, 2020 5:41 pm

    Donna, Brad, Daniel, Hannah and Aaron,
    We’re so sad to hear the news of your Fathers / Granddaddy’s passing. We know he loved spending time with you all and enjoyed getting to see two of his great granddaughters. What a blessing for everyone. You are in our hearts and prayers over the coming days. We love you all… Lori, Russell, Lauren, Kristin, Matthew and Jonathan.

    • Donna Posted April 14, 2020 8:28 pm

      Lori and Family – Thank you. Love you all greatly.

  • Kim Pendergraft Posted April 12, 2020 5:56 pm

    May you R.I.P. Wyatt. No more pain. You earned those wings, now fly high sweet Uncle Wyatt fly high

    • Donna Emerson Posted April 14, 2020 8:29 pm

      Kim – I know your dad, Gene and the rest of the family were there to great him. Now they are laughing and sharing stories together. We will see them again one day. Love you dear cousin.

  • Charles Bullock Posted April 12, 2020 6:06 pm

    I served with Wyatt and he was my friend. It breaks my heart. Prayers for all.

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:32 pm

      Thank you so much Charles for the prayers. And, thank you for the flags today. They were perfect.

  • COL(R) Walter D. Ezzell, Jr. Posted April 12, 2020 7:46 pm

    It is with the deepest sorrow that I have lost what I would call a true friend. Wyatt was so ever special and he always treated me and others with the most respect. I feel sure that our good Lord is wrapping his arms around Wyatt and I know Wyatt is feeling the love that we all had for him. I will not say rest in peace because I know he is truly at peace. Wyatt, you will be missed!!

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:36 pm

      Thank you for the kind words.

  • Tammy Pearce Augsburger Posted April 12, 2020 10:20 pm

    David, Connie and Family,
    Saddened to hear about the passing of Mr Wyatt. Prayers for each of you.

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted May 13, 2020 9:28 am

      Thank you. We appreciate your prayers.

  • Wayne Campbell Posted April 13, 2020 6:35 am

    Wyatt made the world better because he passed through it…

  • Barna & Peggy Wilder Posted April 13, 2020 8:13 am

    We r praying that our Heavenly Father is providing Wyatt’s family with the spiritual and physical strength that they need during their time of mourning. With much love, peace & hope, 🙏🏽 Barna & Peggy Wilder

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:37 pm

      Thank you so much for the prayers. We greatly appreciate them.

  • SFC Glenn Pendleton Posted April 13, 2020 1:01 pm

    I served with Wyatt in the 30Th Engineer Brigade. He was a good friend. He will be missed. Prayers.

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:38 pm

      Thank you so much for the kind words. We greatly appreciate them.

  • jerry house Posted April 13, 2020 1:17 pm

    Rip friend. Known you from the farm and my tour thru the Guard. Prayers for your family. You truly were a great guy

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:38 pm

      Thank you so much for the kind words and prayers. We greatly appreciate them.

  • Les and Cheryl Merritt Posted April 13, 2020 1:44 pm

    We are very saddened at the loss of Mr. Gay. We pray the Lord wraps his loving arms around you during this difficult time. May he rejoice in heaven with those who have entered the gates before him.

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted April 14, 2020 8:39 pm

      Thank you for the kind words and prayers. We greatly appreciate them.

  • GEORGE T RILEY, SSG, USMC/USA (RET.) Posted April 14, 2020 9:14 am

    I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss – my thoughts and prayers are with the family in this difficult time!

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted May 13, 2020 9:29 am

      Thank you for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them greatly.

  • SGM (RET) Steve Jones Posted April 14, 2020 12:18 pm

    What a friend Wyatt was to me during our service together. Wishing the family the very best in this time of loss.

    • Donna, David and Donald Posted May 13, 2020 9:30 am

      Thanks Steve. We have so many memories of you and my dad over the years. Very good memories. Love to you and Marie.

  • CW4(R) ZEBULON R SANDERS Posted April 15, 2020 7:27 am

    My Deepest Sympathy go out to the Wyatt Family as each of you go through this difficult time. I knew Wyatt through the North Carolina National Guard even though I did not work with him on a daily basis. He would always greet everyone with a smile and would go out of his way to help in any way he could. My Heart and Prayers are with the family, and I hope with each passing day, your lost will get a little easier. Wyatt will truly be missed by many!

    • Donna, David and Donald Posted May 13, 2020 9:32 am

      Thank you so much for your kind words and memories of our dad. We will each try to carry on the his legacy of helping others in any way we can and sharing smiles. He taught us well. He will be missed by many for sure.

  • MSG (Ret) Larry E. Jackson Posted April 16, 2020 9:20 pm

    Our deepest sympathy to the family. I did not work hand in hand with Wyatt but I did on occasions had dealing with him. Worked with his son Donald and weekend drills with his brother Sherrill.

    • David, Donna and Donald Posted May 13, 2020 9:35 am

      Thank you for the kind words. We appreciate them greatly.

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