James Gatewood Gay, MD, died at his home on January 29, surrounded by his wife, four children, and dog.

Dr. Gay was the husband of Anne Pinckney Gay for 58 years. He was the son of Elizabeth Simms and Augustus Benjamin Gay and the brother of Lucy Gay Bassett. He was born in Lexington on September 30, 1934. Dr. Gay was raised on a farm in Woodford County, graduated from Deerfield Academy and Princeton University. Dr. Gay entered the Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and served for three years on a Destroyer as a communication officer. He graduated from the University of Virginia Medical School in 1965 and practiced cardiology and internal medicine at the Lexington Clinic until his retirement at the age of 80.

Dr. Gay loved his wife, his family, being a physician and caring for his patients. He loved his farm, snowdrops, lightening bugs, playing tennis and squash, reading the New York Times, music, travelling and collecting art. He also loved dogs, especially golden retrievers. He was honorable, intellectually curious and a strong advocate for Lexington.

In addition to his wife, Anne, he is survived by four children and ten grandchildren. The children are Elizabeth Gay Freeman (George), Dr. Charlotte Gay Stites (John Clay), James Edward “Ted” Gay (Alyson), and Anne Gay Donworth (Richie). The grandchildren are Reid Tomlinson Freeman, William Simms “Will” Freeman, James Gatewood “Woods” Freeman, Harrison Clark Stites, Elizabeth Simms Stites, Stewart Alexander Stites, James Bassett Gay, Elizabeth Pinckney “Eliza” Gay, Margaret O’Dwyer “Maggie” Donworth, and Lucy Alexander Donworth. He is also survived by his-brother-in law, James Edward “Ted” Bassett.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate or the non-profit of your choice.