Benjamin Thomas Gay, 73, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 8, 2017. He was born June 2, 1944 in Northampton County to the late Millard Thomas Gay and Carrie Vaughn Conwell Gay. He honorably served his country in the US Navy, entering at the age of 18 and served 13 years active duty and 4 years in the reserves with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He served 2 tours on the USS Oriskany in the Vietnam War zone, 3 years at the Pentagon as Communications Director for the Chief of Naval Operations. Benjamin also retired as a Sr. Deputy Clerk with the Chatham County Superior Clerks Office in GA.

A service to celebrate his life will be held 12:00 pm, Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Genesis Pentecostal Holiness Church, 6724 Hankinson Rd, Wendell, 27591.

The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the service from 11:00 to 11:45 am at the church.

Graveside service 3:00 pm, Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Gay Family Cemetery, Fire Tower Rd., Jackson, NC with Military Honors.

Surviving: wife, Peggy Collier Gay; son, Floyd Thomas Gay (Debbie) of Tampa, FL; step-son, Daniel Kurzawski (Mary) of Wendell; grandchildren: Jon Scott, Stephanie and Stephen Kurzawski; great-grandchild: Dee Jay Scott; brother, Richard “Pat” Gay, Sr. (Susan) of Louisville, KY; sister, Nancy G. Stephenson of Jackson; nieces: Deborah Bryant (Mark) of Seaboard, Carrie Gearing (Chris) of Knightdale, Nan Lee (David) of Skippers; nephew, Richard Gay, Jr. (Kelly) of Manhattan, KS; 5 great-nieces; 4 great-nephews; 1 great-great niece; 2 great-great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Pentecostal Holiness Church. 

 Service Information