Troy Gay

Troy Carl Gay

1937 – 2026

Troy Carl Gay passed peacefully from this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior, surrounded by his loving family. We take great comfort knowing he is finally home. Born on January 18th, 1937, in Fellsmere, Florida, Troy came into this world alongside his identical twin brother Roy, a bond that remained one of the greatest treasures of his life from that very first day until his last.

Troy grew up in Crossland, Georgia, on the family farm. The days were long, and the work was hard, and Troy never shied away from either. He spent his youth working the cotton and tobacco fields, and somewhere between those rows, he developed a character that would define him for the rest of his life. He was humble and grounded, never needing the spotlight, never asking for more than what was right in front of him. But whatever he put his hands to, he did it right. Troy was a perfectionist in the truest sense. He paid attention to every detail, no matter how small, and he held himself to a standard that few could match. Right out of high school, Troy and his twin brother Roy made a decision together that would shape both of their lives. They enlisted in the United States Air Force side by side at just 17 years old. Troy went on to serve his country for 38 honorable years, traveling across the United States before settling in Perry, Georgia, where he and his family made their home. He closed out his distinguished career at Robins Air Force Base, retiring as Director of Civilian Personnel for the Air Force Reserves, a title that reflected not just rank, but a lifetime of earned respect.

That same care and commitment carried into everything Troy did outside of his military service. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 96 and as the shotgun and rifle instructor at Camp Benjamin Hawkins in Byron, Georgia, pouring himself into the young people around him. He taught more than skills. He showed those boys what it looked like to do something the right way, with patience and purpose, and the ones who passed through his care were better for it. Troy was also a proud Mason who earned his 50-Year Apron, a rare achievement and a reflection of his lifelong dedication to brotherhood, integrity, and service to others.

Troy had a wonderful spirit and a life full of good stories. Behind the wheel, he was a true hotrod. He could drive the wheels off a car and loved every second of it. He was a devoted fan of John Wayne and Dolly Parton, and one of the proudest moments of his life was getting to hug Dolly Parton in person, a memory that always brought a big smile to his face. He even landed a role of his own in the Hollywood film Something to Talk About. He found his peace in the mountains and out on the lake. And then there was the woodworking shop. Troy could take a raw piece of wood and turn it into something truly beautiful, finishing each piece with the same quiet care and precision he brought to everything else in his life. It was never just a hobby. It was an expression of who he was, and anyone who ever received something made by his hands understood that.

More than anything he ever accomplished, Troy cherished his family. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud grandfather, and a faithful brother. He was also, in every sense of the word, a true gentleman. He treated every person he encountered with genuine kindness and deep respect — not as a formality, but because that is simply who he was. He had a way of making people feel valued and seen, and those fortunate enough to be loved by him knew what it felt like to be cared for truly. Troy was one of the most selfless people to ever walk through a room. He put others first without a second thought, never seeking recognition, never keeping score. He loved deeply and consistently, the way only a man of true character can. His family was not just important to him; they were everything to him, and he made sure they felt it every single day.

He is survived by those who were his greatest joy:

His beloved wife of 65 years, Mary Virginia Gay

His daughter, Cynthia Eckman, and her husband, Craig Eckman

His son, TJ Gay, and his wife, Ashley Gay

His granddaughter, Taylor Connelly, and her husband, Taylor Connelly, and their precious children, Sage and Hardin Connelly

His grandsons, Austin Gay and Tyler Gay

His identical twin brother and lifelong companion, Roy Gay, and his wife, Angie Gay

Troy Carl Gay lived a life that mattered. He came from humble beginnings and built something beautiful, not through grand gestures, but through faithfulness, selflessness, and a love for the people around him that never wavered. He was a man of deep faith who trusted in the Lord, a veteran who served his country with honor, a husband who loved his wife for 65 years, and a father and grandfather who gave of himself fully to every single person in his family. He was the kind of man who did the small things right and put everyone else before himself, because that was simply the man God made him to be. The world is quieter without him, and there is not a life he touched that will not carry a piece of him forward. We are so grateful for every moment we had with him, and we find peace knowing he is resting in the presence of the God he loved and served all his life.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23