Mr. Cleophas Gay

GAY, Mr. Cleophas - age 90, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at his residence. Family hour 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from Triumph Flint Campus, 1657 Broadway Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 a.m. Wednesday. Mr. Gay will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may viewed from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. Cleophas Gay was born May 1, 1926 in Tallahassee, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of eight children born to Shephard and Nina (Armstead) Gay. Cleophas gave his life to Christ at 13 years of age. He served in the United States Army in 1944 and was Honorably Discharged from service in 1946. Cleophas later went back to school and graduated from Carter G. Woodson High School in 1948. He relocated to Flint, Michigan where he met and married Eunice Lee Waters in 1961. They were together for 54 years! After moving to Flint he graduated from Skilled Trade School with a degree in Refrigeration Repair in 1949. A year later he was hired at V-8 Engine Plant, a division of General Motors retiring after 31 years of service. He was a member of UAW Local #659. Cleophas also graduated with a degree in Television & Radio Repair in 1957. He repaired TV’s in his garage, eventually going into business with his best friend, Earl Emery in 1964. In addition to his many jobs and skills Cleophas also owned and opened “Avenue A Record and Party Store” located on the corner of Avenue A and Wood St. Mr. Gay joined the Masonic Order in 1973 and was Past-Worshipful Master of John W. Stevenson Lodge No.56, F&A.M.-PHA, Past-Commander-in-Chief and Grand Inspectors General of Saginaw Valley Consistory No. 71 A.A.S.R.-PHA, Past-Illustrious Potentate of Oman Temple No. 72 AEAONMS-PHA, Secretary Emeritus of John W. Stevenson Lodge No. 56 and was a 33rd Degree Mason. Mr. Gay joined North Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1994 under the leadership of Pastor James O. Flowers, Sr. where he was a faithful member until his health began to fail. Mr. Cleophas Gay leaves to cherish his loving memories: 2 daughters, Nina Renae Gay of Flint and Diane Blassingame of Grand Rapids, MI; son, Reginald Fields of Terre Haute, IN; sister-in-law, Deborah Holmes of Flint; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including special friend, Mr. Charles Gill. Mr. Gay was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice; daughter, Audrey Rogers; 3 sons, Michael Gay, Eugene Hickmon and Lendale Waters; 2 granddaughters, Tisha Bates and Keisha Waters; and grandson, Marvin Williams. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Solomon Kinloch and the Triumph Church-Flint Campus family, Bishop James O. Flowers, Sr., social worker, Mr. William Holmes and hospice nurse, Rose.

Mr. Cleophas Gay

May 1, 1926 - June 15, 2016