Garland Mason Gay Sr.

Garland Mason Gay died February 16, 2016 at the age of 91, or as he preferred to say” 100 minus 9!”. He was born in Lynchburg January 24, 1925 to Samuel Rufus and Beatrice Mason Gay. He was a graduate of E.C. Glass High School, The University of Virginia and the UVA School of Architecture. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a pilot. In 1947 he married the love of his life, Margaret Douglas Meriwether.

Garland was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Peggy and his 2 brothers, Samuel R. Gay, Jr and Henry Hamner Gay. He is survived by his 3 devoted children, Elizabeth H. Gay, Garland M. Gay, Jr. (wife, MayMay) and William M. Gay; 7 grandchildren, Elizabeth G. MacGaw (Scott), Lucy G. Geoghegan (Oliver), Margaret G. Young, (Spencer), William Garland Gay, Samuel H. Gay, Jane J. Gay, Garland M. Ramey- Gay, and 7 great grandchildren.

Upon finishing his education at UVA, Garland opened his own architectural firm in Lynchburg, “Garland M. Gay & Associates”. He designed many significant homes, churches, schools and other buildings in central VA. His firm, now known as “Architectural Partners”, is ongoing and thriving.

In retirement, Garland and Peggy spent Spring and Fall at their home in Duck, NC on the Outer Banks. Even though he was an accomplished fisherman himself, he spent most of his time bringing bait and lunch to Peggy. As much as he loved the beaches of North Carolina, he loved the mountains of Virginia even more. The family’s mountain top home on the Blue Ridge Parkway was an endless source of joy for him. His encyclopedic knowledge of trees and his love and appreciation of nature and the outdoors were boundless.

Garland fashioned a full white beard and sweat pants in his last 20 years. He mostly enjoyed the simple things in life such as driving to his favorite spot to watch trains, which were another of his lifelong loves, and also feeding the feral cats along the train tracks. He enjoyed spending a Sunday afternoon with his family at their house on the mountain as well as sunset chats on the front porch with his fun-loving Heritage neighbors. He will be lovingly remembered by those whose lives he touched.

A graveside service celebrating Garland’s life will be held Saturday February 20, 2016 at Trinity Episcopal Church at 11 AM. A reception will follow at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Garland and MayMay Gay (3611 Manton Drive). In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to the Lynchburg Humane Society or The Academy of Fine Arts.