The family will receive friends Sunday, immediately following the service, at the funeral home located at 2704 Nash St. N, Wilson.
John, better known as “Coach Gay”, retired as both a teacher and coach at Fike High School after 38 years of service. He also served as Director of Athletics at Fike High School. John was a loving husband, father, and son. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and former students.
Surviving are his wife, Debra Daniels Gay; one son, James Michael Gay of Black Creek; one daughter, Christina Elizabeth Gay of Black Creek; his mother, Elizabeth Jordan Gay of Walstonburg; and one sister, Ann Gay Koegel (Curtis) of Raleigh.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Pershing Gay, Sr.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Dr. #B, Greenville, NC 27834 (cancer.org).
Funeral services are under the direction of Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home, Wilson, NC. Online condolences may be sent to www.thomasyelverton.com.