- August 24, 1924 - December 27, 2015
- Iowa City, Iowa
of George's Passing
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Arrangements made by
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service
2720 Muscatine Avenue
Iowa City,
IA
52240
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Memories & Candles
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“KLU630 - thanks George
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1 of 30 | Posted by: A friend
“In my Senior year at Iowa, '69-'70, I had the privilege of living at the funeral home in return for running ambulance calls and helping with funeral...Read More »
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2 of 30 | Posted by: Ken Elliott - Ocoee, FL
“I work at the barber shop in Mission I asked him for one of his wooden plaques of Jesus. I will always see his smiling face when I think of George
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3 of 30 | Posted by: Irma Cardenas - Mission, TX
“I was stunned to hear of the passing of George. He was a dear friend and brother and was so actively involved in all areas of Masonic movement and...Read More »
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4 of 30 | Posted by: Berdette Bryngelson - IA
“So sorry to hear the news. Seems as though I just saw George at Rotary. We are out of state and will miss the services for a really nice man. Gary...Read More »
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5 of 30 | Posted by: A friend
“Anita, Ted and families, you have our condolences. Sara Murphy & Sibs
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6 of 30 | Posted by: Sara Murphy - Long Grove, IL
“With the sadness, we hope for the best in 2016. Our grievances in the loss of Uncle George.
Jeff, Sanae, and Kenta Gay
Yokohama, JAPAN
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7 of 30 | Posted by: Jeffrey Allen Gay and Family
“George eas a wonderful person and our thouhts and prayers are with the family. Rodney & Kathy DeGroot
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8 of 30 | Posted by: A friend
“Our sympathy to George's family with his passing. He served our funeral profession very well, with passion to the families he served and also with...Read More »
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9 of 30 | Posted by: Ric Porter - Hawarden, IA
“My sincerest condolences to the Gay Family. George and I were friends through various Masonic organizations that we were both a part of. He was...Read More »
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10 of 30 | Posted by: Wade E. Sheeler - Newton, IA
“To the Family of George Gay
All the members of the Magic Valley Men-of-Achord will miss George. He enjoyed singing and helping the chorus in...Read More »
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11 of 30 | Posted by: Jerry Boman - Mission, TX
“Thank you, RWQeGGeorge and Katie, for your years of friendship and for
all you have given to the community. You were special to all of us.
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12 of 30 | Posted by: Bob and Bonnie Sierk - Phoenix, AZ
“to Uncle George: One of the warmest hearted and giving person we had the pleasure of knowing. Loving memories, Brian Gay Family, Springfield OR
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13 of 30 | Posted by: A friend
“George was a awesome man. We use to bowl in the same league. You will all be in our prayers. God Bless
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14 of 30 | Posted by: Daniel and Donna Hayslett - IA
“George was a valuable member of our concert band and we have missed him.
A good musician and always had a friendly smile for everyone. My sympathy...Read More »
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15 of 30 | Posted by: Cathy Bailey - Pharr, TX
“George was an asset to Aladdin Villa and will be missed. We extend our sympathy to his family and friends.
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16 of 30 | Posted by: The Kuchenbeckers Rapid City, SD
“Anita & family, So sorry for your loss. Your father was so active in our community. It seemed like he was everywhere. Cherish your memories & God...Read More »
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17 of 30 | Posted by: Kathy (Williams) Wyatt-Hanes - IA
“We are so sorry to hear of George's passing. He was a wonderful man and he will be sorely missed in the community and his church and most of all his...Read More »
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18 of 30 | Posted by: Robert & Lorrie Niman - Iowa City, IA
“We were so sorry to hear about George!You all are in are thoughts and prayersHe had so many friends here in Aladdin Villas and Mission.He will be...Read More »
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19 of 30 | Posted by: Don and Helen Reinhardt - Mission, TX
“George was a wonderful Christian man who was honored with the distinction of Elder Emeritus by First Christian Church, Coralville, Iowa. We all knew...Read More »
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20 of 30 | Posted by: Carol Mertens - North Liberty, IA
“George was a wonderful pillar of the Iowa City community...at the time of my mother's death he was a great help to me in dealing with my father...the...Read More »
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21 of 30 | Posted by: Sara Sherlock - Iowa City, IA
“may the family find peace and hapoyness
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22 of 30 | Posted by: nathaniel moreno - mission, TX
“I am so sorry to hear of George's passing. I am thinking of you all.
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23 of 30 | Posted by: Kathy Lance Stepp - Iowa City, IA
“George was a kind and dignified man. He was supportive and encouraging to me as a young man in the funeral business. As a fellow Past I.F.D.A....Read More »
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24 of 30 | Posted by: Dan Fisher - West Des Moines, IA
“Anita, so sorry for your loss. He was such a vibrant man with so many talents. Will really miss him.
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25 of 30 | Posted by: Peggy Miller - Alamo, TX
“I met George briefly and what a sweet brave man. Blessings to all of George's family.
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26 of 30 | Posted by: Betty Goff - Iowa city, IA
“My sympathy to George`s Family. I knew him for many years while in the funeral businesswith my family. Yours, John A. KubaPodivin,Czech Republic
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27 of 30 | Posted by: John A. Kuba - IA - friend
“I would like to give my heart felt sympathy to the Gay family from my family. George was a good man a lived a joyful life. He was fun to be around...Read More »
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28 of 30 | Posted by: Howard Dean & Family - Iowa City, IA
“A piece of our heart is missing due to this message of George's death. He was a great friend. Gary and I so enjoyed the many times we played bridge...Read More »
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29 of 30 | Posted by: Vanita Johnson - Iowa city, IA
“My deepest sympathy to the Gay family. He shall be missed by many. George touched the lives of many including mine.
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30 of 30 | Posted by: Neil Peck - Sioux City, IA
George L. Gay, 91 lifelong resident of Iowa City and longtime businessman died Sunday, December 27, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Thursday, December 31, 2015, at the First Christian Church in Coralville, with graveside services at the Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Wednesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service where a Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 7pm. Memorial donations can be made in George's memory to the First Christian Church. Online condolences may be sent for George's family through the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.
George Lake Gay was born August 24, 1924, in Iowa City the son of George Robert and Helen (Lake) Gay. He attended Iowa City Schools, graduating from City High School with the class of 1942. Then attended the University of Iowa. During WWII George served in the United States Navy. George was united in marriage to Kathrynn Ann (Katie) Murphy on September 1, 1946. Returning to Iowa City he joined the family business, the Gay Locker Company, where he worked until enrolling at the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, at the age of 40. Graduating from here as Class Salutatorian, he and his wife, Katie purchased the former Oathout Funeral Home in Iowa City. This began his career as a funeral director and owner of the George L. Gay Funeral Home, a career that spanned many years in the Iowa City area, caring for thousands of families.
George believed in giving back to his community, church and profession. This was obvious in all the various groups, organizations, community functions, that he was involved with throughout his lifetime. These include, his church, First Christian Church; his profession, Iowa Funeral Directors Association (Past President) and the National Funeral Directors Association; former member of the Iowa City School Board, Iowa City Chamber of Commerce, Ecumenical Towers Organization, University of Iowa School of Religion, and DeMolay; active member of the Noon Rotary Club, Johnson County I-Club, New Horizons Senior Band, Rio-Grande Valley Concert Band (Mission, TX) Men-of Achord (Mission, TX), IOOF, Rebekah Lodge, O.E.S., White Shrine, Knight of Pythias, Eagles Lodge, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, the William Reynolds Lodge #667 of the Masonic Order and KAABA Shrine.
His family includes his children, Anita Gay Hartwig (Kevin Hartwig) of Iowa City; George Edward "Ted" Gay (Patti) of North Richland Hills, TX; grandchildren, Kory Hartwig, Kerri Hartwig, Victoria Gay, Diana Kirkwood (Matt), and William Gay; two great-grandsons, Jaiden Feedee and Casen Kirkwood; brothers, Charles Gay of Iowa City and Robert Gay (Jeannine) of Philoimath, OR; sister-in-law, Marilou Gay of Iowa City; and fiancé, Suzie Oliver of Iowa City.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Katie; sister, Dorothy Adamson; brother, Richard Gay; sister, Anna Gay; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Gay.
Funeral Service
December 31, 2015
11:00 AM
First Christian Church
900 Lincolnshire Place
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 337-4181
Visitation
December 30, 2015
4:00 PM
to 7:00 PM
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service
2720 Muscatine Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240
319.338.1132
Masonic Memorial Service
December 30, 2015
7:00 PM
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service
2720 Muscatine Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 338-1132
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Share A Story
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George was a cousin to my grandpa Howard Berry. Growing up, I knew George only through his work at the funeral home. When my sister and I bought what was his mother’s childhood home on Fairchild Street in Iowa City in 2002, a small photo album came with the purchase. In that album were a few pictures of George. I was quite taken with one of these—an old black-and-white showing George as a young man with his grandma (my great-great grandma) Nettie Lake. In the picture, George and Grandma Lake are in the kitchen—the kitchen that I use today. George is forking meat onto a platter that Grandma holds. The two have genuine smiles on their faces. I’m sure George’s attire has something to do with those smiles. Over George’s white collared shirt and necktie is a small ruffled floral-print apron, likely one of Grandma Lake’s or Aunt Doris's that he just happened to throw on for the occasion! After studying this picture, I was sure George was a helpful, caring, and lighthearted guy who enjoyed time with family.
I had the great pleasure to discover that George indeed did possess these wonderful qualities when he invited me, my aunt Linda, and Linda’s fiancé, Stan, to his house in November. In his 91st year, George visited enthusiastically with us, talking about his past professions, family members that I never met, as well as his upcoming plans to travel to Texas for the winter. He graciously gave us a tour of his neat home, which, on that day, was bathed in yellow light from the autumn canopy outside the house. He showed us his artwork—stained glass, ceramic figurines, candle holders—and even opened his bedroom closet to show us how tidy he kept his belongings. George’s daughter, Anita, followed behind, turning off lights as we exited one room and then another. “Are you getting the lights?” George called back to Anita.
George was so full of life and vigor that day. And we were all excited to make plans for some family heirlooms to return to the Lake house—my home on Fairchild Street. George agreed to visit the old house next spring when he returned to Iowa to see how the space had changed and—for the most part—had not changed. I let him know I was very fond of the house and its antique charm. He seemed pleased.
I do regret that George will not be able to visit my home, our family’s home, after all. Our time, unfortunately, started late and was cut too short. I do know that the Lake house on Fairchild Street will continue to carry George's spirit with it as well as those of our ancestors and the many memories they made. More than anything, I’m grateful to have learned a bit more about the handsome young man in the pretty floral apron who once stood in my kitchen.
George was a cousin to my grandpa Howard Berry. Growing up, I knew George only through his work at the funeral home. When my sister and I bought what was his mother’s childhood home on Fairchild Street in Iowa City in 2002, a small photo album came with the purchase. In that album were a few pictures of George. I was quite taken with one of these—an old black-and-white showing George as a young man with his grandma (my great-great grandma) Nettie Lake. In the picture, George and Grandma Lake are in the kitchen—the kitchen that I use today. George is forking meat onto a platter that Grandma holds. The two have genuine smiles on their faces. I’m sure George’s attire has something to do with those smiles. Over George’s white collared shirt and necktie is a small ruffled floral-print apron, likely one of Grandma Lake’s or Aunt Doris's that... READ MORE →
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December 29, 2015