Kenneth R. Gay

March 20, 1920 -

January 22, 2012

Kenneth Gay, 91, of Pensacola passed away peacefully on January 22, 2012, surrounded by family. He was born to Thelma Davenport Gay and George Gay on March 20, 1920.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Banfell, brother-in-law, Joseph Frozio, Jr, son-in-law, Earl F. Cox, and Madeline Menard Gay, his beloved wife of 47 years.

He is survived by his sons, Michael Gay (Joan), Kenneth Robert Gay, Jr, John Gay, daughters, Kathy Cox (Earl), Laura Nickerson (Gary), and sister, Marion Frozio (Joseph). He was known as "Papa" to his 6 grandchildren, Robert and Carrie Cox, Christopher (Rebecca) and Joshua Gay (Alexa), Leah Gay and Angel Kent (David). He had 7 great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Brandon, Ryan, Harmony, Pressley, Taylor, and Tyler

Kenneth entered the Army in 1942 and proudly served with the First Special Service Force (the famed "Devil's Brigade"), an elite joint Canadian-American Special Forces unit in World War II. He graduated from the 1948-1952 metalsmith apprenticeship, retiring from civil service in 1980 from NARF, NAS Pensacola as a metalsmith foreman. An avid outdoorsman, Kenneth often hunted all over North Florida and in the waters of Escambia's bayous and rivers, or Vermont's streams and rivers. Kenneth was a skilled fisherman. For nearly 30 years, his cast net would provide many neighbors with plenty of fresh mullet. He also loved to travel with family and to military reunions. Kenneth was a life-long parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Warrington. Kenneth will be remembered as a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

The family would like to extend a very special thanks to the kind and caring people at The Verandas, Sacred Heart Hospital, and Covenant Hospice. Your love and care were greatly appreciated.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM on Friday, January 27, 2012 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Robert Cox, Christopher Gay, Joshua Gay, David Kent, Terry Busbee, Jr, and Clyde Busbee, III. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Nickerson, Jack Glaze, Maurice Johnson, Marvin "Bud" Huffman, and Terry Busbee, Sr.

The family will receive friends at Oak Lawn Funeral Home North on Thursday, January 26, 2012 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, 325 South Navy Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32507.

Arrangements under the direction of Oak Lawn Funeral Home, Pensacola, FL.