Ralph A. Gay, Jr., age 75, of Jasper, FL. passed away on Friday, April 12, 2019 at his home following an extended illness.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 15, 2019 at Bright Pond Baptist Church in Jasper, FL. Interment followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Jasper.

Ralph was born in Tampa, FL on August 18, 1943, to the late Ralph A. Gay, Sr. and Elvie Lee Hancock Gay. He was a good and faithful Christian man who loved his Lord with his whole heart and served as an ordained deacon at Bright Pond Baptist Church in Jasper, FL. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Before returning home to Jasper, he owned and operated Southern Country Mobile Homes in Valdosta, GA for many years. He and his son Randy managed their family farm and ran one of the last "full service" stations in Florida.

When you couldn't find Ralph on his farm rounding up cattle or mowing the church grounds at Bright Pond Baptist Church,  he was at one of his favorite fishing holes some place between the Alapaha River and his Suwannee home. He was also a dedicated member of Gideon International Ministry and was interested in making sure the Word of God was available to all. Through the Gideons, he was instrumental in distributing Bibles to six graders at the local schools as well as other groups and organizations. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Ralph Sr. and Elvie.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Sharon Bembry Gay, Jasper, FL; his daughter and son-in-law, Pam and David Kovach of Colorado Springs, CO; his son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Melanie, Jasper, FL; two sisters, Betty Sue Farnback of Lake Butler and Joyce Formby of Naples, FL; two granddaughters, Hannah and Sarah Kovach.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bright Pond Baptist Church in Jasper, FL or Gideon International in Ralph's memory.