John Gay

JOHN "BRIAN" GAY

Coralville

John "Brian" Gay, 70, a longtime resident of Coralville, passed away peacefully at the Des Moines VA Hospice unit, with loved ones at his side following a lengthy illness on Monday, May 2, 2016. We have lost a kind and generous partner in life: son, father, stepfather, grandfather and friend.

Brian was born Jan. 31, 1946, in Ottumwa, Iowa, son of Virgil Eugene Gay and Ruth Arlene (Nelson) Gay. At an early age, he began working in his father's business. The skills he learned were put to use in later life on one of his hobbies as an accomplished woodworker. Brian could repair or build just about anything, and made short work of his honey-do lists.

Brian was a graduate of Ottumwa High School. After graduation, he attended the University of Iowa before enlisting into the U.S. Army in September 1967. He served for three years, including a year in Vietnam as a first lieutenant in the D Company, 19th Combat Engineers. He was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to the University of Iowa, where he earned a B.A. degree.

Upon graduation from the University of Iowa, Brian worked as a stock broker in Chicago, and subsequently at several papers as a publisher, manager and/or owner. At the time of his retirement in 2012, he was the executive director of a multi-state free paper industry organization. He authored a book on newspaper advertising sales, and was a sought after consultant in the newspaper industry. He received numerous awards for his ability to see the future of newspapers and his willingness to work to achieve this vision. He didn't let obstacles discourage him.

Brian's hobbies included riding his John Deere lawn tractor, woodworking, walking, reading, fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, watching old movies, and bad puns and jokes. He loved to laugh and especially enjoyed movies like "Young Frankenstein" or watching "The Three Stooges" and "Saturday Night Live." He was a lifelong foodie and loved to travel.

Brian was very active in the community, including serving as a board member and past president of Camp Courageous, and participating in the annual Coralville Fourth of July parade, driving one of his little cars like his King Midget or his red VW Bug. When the kids were young and the elementary school needed a soccer coach for the team, Brian stepped in and volunteered even though he had never played soccer. He felt that it was always the right time to do what was right.

He was a member of the American Legion and a past member of the Lions Club. He was very proud of the Quilt of Valor the American Legion awarded to him in 2014.

Brian is survived by his wife, Sandra L. Gay; mother, Ruth Gay Hull; sons, Scott (Barb) Gay and Aaron (Emily) Gay; stepchildren, Amy Sales, John (Christine) Sales Jr. and Joshua (Cristi) Sales; brothers, Donald (Mary Jo) Gay and Andrew (Maureen) Gay; sister, Jean (Don) Holloway; grandchildren, Quintin, Claudia, Ingrid, Noelle, Ruby, Theo and Violet; sister-in-law, Sue (Tom) Cannon; brother-in-law, Brooks (Chris) Booker III; former wife, Sandra J. Gay; his cat, Fanny; and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Gay; sister, Julie Gay; and beloved cat, Gussie.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 21, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Gay & Ciha Funeral Home in Iowa City, with a service to follow at noon. Interment: Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Rd., Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (800) 882-1316; or the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Radnor Station Building 2, Suite 320, 290 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor, PA 19087, (267) 514-7221.