James Howard Gay, 96, Fennimore, passed away on April 11, 2015, at the Lancaster Care Facility. He was born January 17, 1919, to Carl Orville and Irene (Davidson) Gay in Seneca, WI. He went to school and graduated from Seneca High School. Jim was united in marriage to Leora Mae Bell at the Steuben Congregational Church on November 17, 1942. They moved to Fennimore in 1943 where Jim started farming and continued until his retirement.
Jim was a long-time member of the Fennimore United Methodist Church where he held various positions over the years. Jim was a member of Eastern Star (Worthy Patron in 1959) and a long-time member of the Masons since 1945; he held every office up through Worthy Master.
Jim was a member of the AS Soil Conversation CS for Grant County, a committeeman for Mt. Ida Township for many years and was on the auditing committee, the nominating committee and a delegate for the State in Madison.
Jim was an avid Badger, Packer and Brewer fan. He either watched the games on TV or was listening to games on his radio. Jim loved to garden and you could always find him out working in one of his two gardens. He loved to share his vegetables, raspberries and strawberries with family and friends. Jim was a great neighbor and friend. If anyone needed help, he was the first to be at their doorstep.
Jim also enjoyed his time while volunteering at the Fennimore Railroad Historical Society. He loved visiting with the tourists and hearing the stories some of the people would relate to him.
Those grateful for having shared Jim’s life include his children, James Jr. of Janesville, Don (Dr. Kathy Lord) of Mt. Horeb, Carol (Earl) Cook, Sioux Falls, S.D.; four grandchildren, Michael (Janine) Gay of Las Vegas, Nev., Carina (Shannon) Henkel of Fennimore, Sandy (Tim) Meeker of Waunakee, Brent (Tina) Cook of Harrisburg, S.D.; nine great-grandchildren, Kailee, Aimee and Emilee Meeker, Brooklyn and Brock Henkel, Rachel and Zachary Gay, Breydon and Eliana Cook; his sister Gwen Corcoran of Madison, several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Leora, in May 2007, his parents, sisters: Carol Gay, Connie Hubanks, Phyllis Youwer, Betty Miller and brother, Thomas Gay.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at the Fennimore United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Prairie Cemetery in Fennimore; Rev. Duane Andrus will officiate. Visitation will be held from4:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.on Wednesday evening, April 15, 2015 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore with Eastern Star and Masonic services beginning at 6:30 P.M. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Thursday morning.