Charles Raymond Gay, 86 went to meet his loving wife Alice Jones Gay in heaven on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 3:30 PM.  He was born in Portal, Georgia on August 15, 1938 and raised in Statesboro, Georgia.  In March of 1958 he enlisted in the Air Force.  He was stationed in Roanoke Rapids, NC where he met his future wife Alice.  While in the Air Force Charles and Alice gave birth to their first daughter Katherine (Kathy) in 1963. Upon honorable discharge from the Air Force, Charles went to work at the paper mill in Roanoke Rapids.  The family moved to Raleigh, NC in the early 70s while Charles was working for United Parcel Service (UPS).  In 1976, Charles and Alice welcomed their second baby girl Shannon. In 1995, he retired from his position as a manager in the East Carolina Division of UPS.  During his years at UPS he made countless friends, and remained close to them until his passing.  His love for the company and the friends he made there were unwavering.

When he wasn't working he enjoyed spending time with his family and being involved in everything his children and grandchildren were participating in.  He enjoyed woodworking and could often be found building decks, gazebos, or anything a friend or family member wanted to have built.  Charles was also an avid NASCAR fan and shared his love of the sport with his daughter Shannon.  He started taking her to races when she was little and this became a treasured bonding time for the two for the next 40 years. Upon the arrival of their grandchildren Michael and Erin (Kathy), Charles and Alice spend most of their time at various ballparks watching the kids play baseball and softball.  They bought an RV and followed the kids where ever they would play.  On the weekends they weren't at the field, you could find them traveling or camping with friends.  Charles and Alice were happily married for 57 years at the time of her passing in 2017.

Charles is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Katherine and David Linthicum; their children Michael Linthicum and Erin Linthicum Newton (Jacob); his daughter and son-in-law Shannon and Brent Hanes; sister Bonnie Donaldson; brother Rupert Gay; brother-in-law Ernest Jones and his wife Deborah; and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 29, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and the chapel service will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM both at Montlawn Funeral Home.