Richard Ransom Gay

Richard Ransom Gay, SMSgt, USAF, passed away September 10, 2015 at the age of 37. Richard was born November 24, 1977 in Massillon, Ohio to Richard and Dianne (Riley) Gay. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Franklin University as well as two Air Force CC Degrees. Rich enlisted in the USAF in 1996 as a Financial Specialist and was stationed in Incirlik AB in Turkey with the 39th AW. While stationed in Incirlik, he played for the USAF volleyball team traveling in Europe, playing against national teams. In 2001 he joined the 121st financial management office at Rickenbacker ANG Base and in 2013, he was selected as the IG Superintendent. SMSgt Gay received numerous medals and honors throughout his military career, including AF Commendation Medal, AF Achievement Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. Rich loved his Pittsburgh Steelers, Jeeps, euchre, golf, cigars and fishing…but above all, he loved his family, especially his wife and children. He will be terribly missed by his beloved wife, Rebecca Ann Gay; children, Carter, Brianna and Brooklyn Gay; parents Richard and Dianne Gay of Canton, OH; parents-in-law, Michael and Pam Rarick and Mike and Marilyn Stall; grandparents, Lorraine Mae Gay and Gordon and Dorothy Taiclet; sisters, Terri (Barry) Coultas, Robin Gay and Rebecca (Bill) Martin; sisters-in-law, Sarah (David) Waingarten, Kelly (Erik) Luke, Julie Stryker and Courtney Stall; brothers-in-law Nick Rarick, Coleman (Kendra) Rarick and Ethan Stall; nephews and nieces, Connor and Logan Luke, Nathan, Erin and Jillian Hennessy, Charlie Harless, Frankie Lamp and William Martin. Family will welcome friends 4-8 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2015 at Schoedinger Grove City Chapel, 3920 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123. Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Grove City Church of the Nazarene, 4770 Hoover Rd., Grove City, OH 43123; graveside service with military honors to follow at Concord Cemetery; Chaplain Thomas Whiteman, presiding. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. A special thank you to Col. Mark Auer and the 121st Air National Guard Rickenbacker Base, to Col. Bryan Davis and the 178th Wing Air National Guard Springfield Base and to the U.S. Air Force. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a special memory or to extend condolences to Rich's family and friends.