Mr. Dennis Franklin Gay Sr.

The family of Dennis (Denny) Franklin Gay, I is sad to announce that on Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023, Dennis, age 74 passed away at his home in Tampa, Florida. Born, December 11th, 1948, to Broward and Ada Gay in Palm River, Florida. Dennis was the youngest of 8 siblings. He is survived by 1 brother and 3 sisters, Lillian Conner, Audrey Conner, Carol France, and Eddie Gay.

He was a husband to Linda S. Gay for 49 years and a father to 3 children, Tracie Krier (Chris), Denise Erickson, & Denny Gay (Tiffany). Dennis was the proud grandfather to 11 grandchildren, Jamie Parslow, Jenna Parslow, Jessica Krier, Sean Krier, Alvaro Davison, Ava Erickson, Paige Erickson, Elliot Erickson, Noah Erickson, Hannah Gay, Dennis (Jacob) Gay. He is also a great-grandfather to 3 great-grandchildren Silas, Kelsie & Rylie. Dennis was immensely proud of the family he and Linda had built together, and was fiercely loyal to his children, siblings, and the extended families abroad – often holding or attending family functions regularly, always making sure to be at events such as birthdays, weddings, and graduations.

Dennis was also extremely proud yet reserved about his time of his deployment to Vietnam in 1969 and receiving a Purple Heart for a wound he received on August 7th, 1969. After returning to the States, he completed his commitment at Ft. Benning Georgia retiring as an E5 Sgt with an honorable discharge. Total decorations include National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, Expert M14, 1 OS Bar, Marksman M16, Good Conduct (1st Award), Combat Infantryman Badge (1st Award), and Purple Heart.

After his time in the Military, Dennis went on to work with the Hillsborough County School District as an HVAC Refrigerant Mechanic and eventually as the Energy Management Supervisor, maintaining employment until his retirement in 2010.

Known for his quiet, stoic nature, Dennis Gay, was equally known to be quite the prankster among his children and grandchildren. As a teenager, he worked with his brothers on various vehicles, where he learned to revere hard work and technical expertise and could often be seen working in his yard or at the house, he and his wife Linda had built in 1985. The rest of his time, he could be seen fishing, boating, or kayaking around the Tampa Bay area and his family homestead on Palm River. Dennis was an ardent dog lover – especially that of his beloved Chihuahua, Capi – and loved to take cruises and travel whenever he and Linda found the opportunity together.

Dennis Franklin Gay, Sr. is to be laid to rest at the Hillsboro memorial gardens on September 7th, 2023, with full military honors, where he will reside next to his High School sweetheart[h] and late wife, Linda Marie Gay.