Henry
Henry Hamner Gay
Henry Hamner Gay, died peacefully on Saturday, September 22, 2012. \"Ham\" was born in Lynchburg on April 5, 1926, being one of three sons of the late Samuel R. Gay and Beatrice M. Gay.
Ham was educated in Lynchburg City Schools, attended Hampden Sydney College and the University of Richmond and was graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1948. Subsequently, he went to work for his father at S.R. Gay Co. Inc., General Contractors, eventually becoming President thereof, and part owner with his brother, Sam. He later formed his own company, H. Hamner Gay and Co., Inc. which he operated for many years. In 2008 he received the Architectural Medal for the Blue Ridge Chapter of Architects for his life time contribution to the industry.
He served terms on Lynchburg City Council from 1966-1974, also serving as Lynchburg\"™s Mayor from 1971-1974. In his retirement he continued to participate in community affairs, most recently finishing his term as a board member of the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts last Thursday. He was an avid admirer of trains, played bridge and followed the various teams of his beloved \"Hoos\".
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Martha Murdock Gay, his Son, Prescott Hamner Gay and his wife, Virginia, and their children Prescott Hamner Gay, Jr. and Virginia Hamilton Gay, his daughter, Parke Goodall Gay Messier, and her husband, Tim, their children; Prescott Ryan Messier and Parke Grayson Messier, his brother, Garland M. Gay, his wife Peggy and a niece Leigh Ann Schafer and husband Ed and family (the daughter of the late Samuel R. Gay), his stepsons; James Allen Murdoch Hamblen, his wife Mary, their children and William Shipley Hamblen, his wife Debbie and their family, grandchildren: Jennifer Hamblen Valdivia and husband Chris and their family (daughter of the late Lapsley W. Hamblen, III).
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Samuel R. Gay, III and sister-in-law, Phyllis Gay.
He was a kind and generous man who will be missed by all who knew him.
A visitation will be held at West Minster Canterbury, 501 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 5:00 pm.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 in Spring Hill Cemetery with Rev. John Scholer officiating.
In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts, 600 Main Street, Lynchburg, Va. 24504
Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family.
Ham was educated in Lynchburg City Schools, attended Hampden Sydney College and the University of Richmond and was graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1948. Subsequently, he went to work for his father at S.R. Gay Co. Inc., General Contractors, eventually becoming President thereof, and part owner with his brother, Sam. He later formed his own company, H. Hamner Gay and Co., Inc. which he operated for many years. In 2008 he received the Architectural Medal for the Blue Ridge Chapter of Architects for his life time contribution to the industry.
He served terms on Lynchburg City Council from 1966-1974, also serving as Lynchburg\"™s Mayor from 1971-1974. In his retirement he continued to participate in community affairs, most recently finishing his term as a board member of the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts last Thursday. He was an avid admirer of trains, played bridge and followed the various teams of his beloved \"Hoos\".
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Martha Murdock Gay, his Son, Prescott Hamner Gay and his wife, Virginia, and their children Prescott Hamner Gay, Jr. and Virginia Hamilton Gay, his daughter, Parke Goodall Gay Messier, and her husband, Tim, their children; Prescott Ryan Messier and Parke Grayson Messier, his brother, Garland M. Gay, his wife Peggy and a niece Leigh Ann Schafer and husband Ed and family (the daughter of the late Samuel R. Gay), his stepsons; James Allen Murdoch Hamblen, his wife Mary, their children and William Shipley Hamblen, his wife Debbie and their family, grandchildren: Jennifer Hamblen Valdivia and husband Chris and their family (daughter of the late Lapsley W. Hamblen, III).
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Samuel R. Gay, III and sister-in-law, Phyllis Gay.
He was a kind and generous man who will be missed by all who knew him.
A visitation will be held at West Minster Canterbury, 501 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA. on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 5:00 pm.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 in Spring Hill Cemetery with Rev. John Scholer officiating.
In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts, 600 Main Street, Lynchburg, Va. 24504
Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg (434-237-9424) is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Henry Hamner Gay, please visit our flower store.
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