Edgar R. Gay Jr.

Edgar R. Gay, Jr. was born on August 20, 1942 in Wilson, North Carolina to the late Edgar Gay, Sr. and Beatrice Gay.  He was the first of two children, and graduated from Darden High School in Wilson in 1959. 

 After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for 6 years, attaining the rank of first lieutenant before being honorably discharged.

After his military tour of duty Edgar relocated to Washington D.C. where he attended American University majoring in Criminal Justice.  Edgar later joined the Metropolitan Police Department and served at the 4th District precinct for 4 years walking the Georgia Avenue/ Kennedy Street Corridors.  After earning many awards and accolades, he furthered his ambitions to become a distinguished member of the United States Secret Service where he served 4 Presidents.  He took pride in his work with the Secret Service where he received many awards and honors.  After 28 years of of service, Edgar retired but later went on to work at the U.S. Marshall’s Service, where he worked for 2 additional years after retirement .  One could say that Service and law enforcement was truly in his blood.   

Edgar was best known to be articulate, compassionate and had a great sense of humor.   He was truly a gentleman’s gentleman, with style and class, that loved the personal touches to his wardrobe.  You could easily find his initials on his shirts, jackets, sweaters and overcoats.  He even had monogrammed glasses.  

He was an avid golfer with a 3 handicap which earned him his PGA card (he was so good he could have gone PRO).  He often shared with family and friends his golfing experiences as he played all over the world. One of his favorite golf courses was in Palm Springs, California.  Some of his other hobbies included watching old war movies, grilling , and collecting premiere Cigars.   He also loved North Carolina barbeque and would make a special request if he knew you were traveling that direction down 95.  When he wasn’t traveling you could find him at home, enjoying his extensive collection of books and war novels.  Every morning he began his day reading the newspaper, watching MSNBC, while drinking a cup of fresh brewed coffee.  Edgar was a man of great wisdom and integrity and one of his famous quotes was “don’t take no wooden nickels.”  He was a 

die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and loved spending quality time with his wife and grandchildren while watching sports on Sundays.  He would often take his grand son Nick and all of his friends rollerskating on the weekends and was known to give the best sound advice to all.   

He will truly be missed and loved by all of his children’s friends as he was like a father to so many.  

Edgar was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 60 and the United States Golf Association. 

Edgar leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Sheila (affectionately called Mimi); one sister, Lorraine Ella Gay; one son, Edgar Gay, III (Charlene, wife); two daughters, Sylvia Gay and Kimberly Lee-King (Dant’e Husband ); 4 Grand children Antonio (Rochelle wife), Nicholas , Michael, Christian; 3 great-grand children , Grayson, Gavin, and Nasir, one niece Felicia along with a host of other relatives and friends.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edgar R. Gay Jr., please visit our floral store.