HAMDEN - James Milton Gay, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at his home in Walton, surrounded by the ones he loved and under the compassionate care of the Helios team. He was born on Aug. 1, 1942 in Farmville, North Carolina to parents James Theodore Gay and Carrie Lee Taylor. James graduated from H.B. Sugg High School. On Aug. 16, 1984, he married Nancy Bernice Gavett in Fairfax, Virginia.

James served his country in the United States Army from 1962-1991, when he retired as a Sergeant Major. Throughout his life and time in the military, he was afforded the opportunity to live in and experience many different states and countries. After retiring from the military and relocating to New York with his wife and daughter, he drove school bus for a couple of area schools and charter bus for Oneonta Bus Lines. He loved his charter trips and all the new people he got to meet and strike up a conversation with. In his "true" retirement, James loved to spend hours moving rocks and digging in the dirt with his tractors, traveling to visit family and old friends, and tinkering with whatever he thought might need fixing.

James was predeceased by all five of his siblings Channie Gay, Wilma Grace Wilder, Kenneth Gay, Bob Gay, and Sahara Gay, and children James Rogers, Randie El-Amin, and Angela Gay. He is survived by children Beryl Patterson, Jason (Bobbie) Rogers, Tina (Tony) Bosma, and Sahara Lupo. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, being especially missed by Payton, Theo, and Ruby, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their children. James has touched the lives of many, demonstrating what it means to have resilience in the face of adversity, instilling the value of hard work, and walking with the Lord each step of the way.

"So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown."