John Henry Gay, Jr.

JENNINGS, Fla. John Henry Gay Jr., 76, of Jennings, Fla., formerly of Norman Park, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at Heritage House at Lake Haven in Valdosta, Ga. Graveside services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, at Paulks Chapel Cemetery, in Worth County, with the Rev. Donnie Sloan officiating. Born Jan. 1, 1938, in Scooterville, Ga., he was the son of the late John Henry Gay Sr. and Ruth Norton Gay Vickers. He was a machinist at Albany Marine Base and he was self-employed in the lawn business. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cheryl Gay Golden; and a brother, James Raymond Gay. Survivors include his wife, Janice Peterson Gay of Jennings, Fla.; the mother of his children, Carolyn Martin of Morven, Ga.; sons, Roger Gay and wife Chandra of Morven, Marty Gay and wife Trish of Grand Forks, N.D., and James Gay and wife Angel of TyTy, Ga.; daughter, Teri Mercer of Doerun; brothers, Charles Gayre and wife Jean of Sarasota, Fla., and Frank Gay and wife Colleen of St. Cloud, Fla.; sisters, Laura Gay Cravey and husband Bill of Omega, Sandra Gay Staples of Lincolnton, Ga., and Carole Gay Sloan and husband Donnie of Moultrie; numerous grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., on Friday Feb. 21, at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Baker Funeral Home. Please leave condolences to the family at www.bakerfuneralhomeofmoultrie.com and www.moultrieobserver.com .