Lewis Leon Gay

Lewis “Leon” Gay, 82, was born on June 6th, 1935, to Leo and Lois Gay in Joes, Colorado. They moved to Denver, Colorado when Leon was still a baby. Later he had the responsibility of taking care of his 2 younger brothers while their father was at war. He wrestled in high school and graduated from West High School in Denver. He then joined the army where he served for 2 years in the Army Corps of Engineers stationed at the Panama Canal. He used the GI Bill to go to college at the University of Colorado. He graduated with a BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1961.

Leon was employed by Beech Aircraft. He worked in their division that was involved with the space program. He designed cryogenic systems as well many other systems throughout his career to help support the Space Program. He worked with the Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle Programs. He loved to mention that he helped put man on the moon. Later he was employed by Ball Aerospace before he retired. He then bought into Buckboard Marina on Flaming Gorge Reservoir. He was the engineer on hand so that they could expand and put in their campground. Leon’s dream was to fish everyday while there, but he worked entirely too hard for that to happen. He did enjoy all the people that he helped while working the docks and gas pumps.

Leon loved people, especially family. He was an excellent gunsmith and would spend hours at a time creating beautiful ornate gunstocks. He, of course, loved fishing and taking people out on his boat. He enjoyed hunting, archery, playing pool, going to CU and Bronco games, and having a beer (or two) with his pals from Beech. He had a very artistic side and loved playing his mandolin and then the banjo. A lot of the time his songs sounded like “Oh Susanna” no matter what he was playing but that’s ok.

He is survived by his brother, Lynn (Kathy) Gay; son, Darrell (Linda) Callison; grandchildren, Ellie and Ian Callison; daughter, Lesli (Danny) Tigert; granddaughter, Rebecca Tigert; daughter Mindy Zahner; granddaughter, Madison Kittleson; daughters, Lori and Michelle from his first marriage to JoAnn Left; his wonderful nephews and their wives and children. Leon also had been married to Ginger Watson and then Connie Gay.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Lois, his brother, Larry, and his son Billy Callison.

Celebration of Life will be held at Martin Mortuary in Grand Junction on August 5th at 11 a.m. Family has requested casual western attire to honor Leon.

Arrangements under the direction of Martin Mortuary, Grand Junction, CO.