Harold Ernest Gay, 93, of Falls Church, VA, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2022 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital.
Hal was born on June 24, 1929 in Tulare, CA the son of the late Charles Gay and Flora Yeisley. He attended Cal Poly University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree and went on to serve our country for 2 years in the United States Army and received the National Defense Ribbon. Hal worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and retired in 1994 after 40 years of service. He was a lifetime member of the Merrifield Lions Club and while his children were in high school he was an active member in the Falls Church High School Band Parent Organization. Hal enjoyed working out, going to NASCAR races around the country and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sporting and musical events.
Hal married Barbara Smith on May 14, 2009 at the Fairfax County Court House.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Falls Church, VA; children, Deborah Sheldon of Catlett, VA, Scott Gay of Falls Church, VA Kenneth Gay of Blacksburg, VA and Cheryl Strain of Greenville, NC; seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Hal is preceded in death by first wife Sydney in 1995 and granddaughter, Samantha in 1982, sister, Jacqueline Rossi and sons–in-law, Miles Sheldon and James Strain.
Services for Hal will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions made in memory of Hal can be made to Merrifield Lions Club at merrifieldlions.com or St. Jude Children’s Hospital at stjude.org