Paul W. Gay

Paul W. Gay, 93, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2015 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Graveside services will be in Arnett, Oklahoma.

Paul was born in Flippin, Arkansas on December 23, 1921, the son of Lewis Robert and Sylvia Myrtle Gay. He graduated from Wetumka High School in Oklahoma and Texas Tech University. Paul served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945, in the original crew that commissioned the U.S.S. Pine Island. Since 2004, he was a resident at Brandon Woods Retirement Community and a member of the Westside Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS.

He married Evelyn Tefertiller on January 1, 1946 in Ada, Oklahoma. Paul worked for Video Independent Theatres, managing movie theatres in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. He retired as the company vice-president in 1983. For the next 13 years, he worked for H & R Block as a tax-preparer and instructor. After that he served as a volunteer who helped senior citizens prepare and submit tax forms. After moving to Lawrence, KS, he served as the state of Kansas administrative assistant for the statewide Tax-Aide program for AARP.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, his parents, two sisters, Willie Mitchell and Goldia Crouch, and one brother, Gail.

Survivors include two daughters, A. Susan Gay, Lawrence, and Sharon M. Steindl (Walter), Vienna, Austria, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three nieces, two nephews, and friends across several states.

The family suggests memorials to The Coleman Theatre of Miami, OK, 103 N. Main, Miami, OK 74354, or Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.