Monthly Archives: November 2018

Private Robert Gay, US Army

Pa Bob Gay, patriarch of the Gay-Parker family, became one of the few young Black men to leave the Farmville-Pitt County, NC to serve in World War I.

Pa Bob spent time at Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson) during the time that the camp was being created and later recalled travelling to France.

When Pa Bob entered the army in December 1917, he was 21 years old, already married to Ma Lillie, and had a son named Herman Lee. By the time that Pa Bob had returned home he had a daughter named Jennie.

On this 100th year celebration of WWI and the Armistice we proudly cheer and applaud our patriarch Robert “Pa Bob” Gay for his service to our country.

Colonel Ronald M. Gay

On this Veterans Day, we salute two of our family members who chose to serve our country as career military men.

The first family member is Colonel Ronald McRay Gay, NCARNG. He is the son of Herman and Dannie Ruth Gay. Colonel Gay (Ronnie) was born on July 21, 1952 in Farmville, North Carolina. Ronnie attended H.B. Sugg High School in Farmville and later graduated from North Carolina A&T State University, where he received a BS degree in Economics. Along with receiving his degree, Ronnie was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in ROTC. This began the extensive service to his country. Ronnie served our country in the Army for over 27 years.

During his career Ronnie attended military schools like Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course. He also received many U.S. Decorations and badges such as the Army Command Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Ronnie received State Awards such as the NCNG Achievement Medal.

Appointments that Ronnie received were Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and, Colonel..

We proudly recognize and thank Colonel Ronald McRay Gay for his service to our country and for making the Gay-Parker family proud.

Staff Sergeant Melvin C. Gay

On this Veterans Day, the second member of the Gay-Parker family that we salute is Staff Sergeant Melvin Curtis Gay. Melvin is the son of David Clinton Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Gay.

Melvin was born August 7, 1959. He is a graduate of North Pitt High School in Bethel, NC. After graduation from high school Melvin enlisted in the Army in 1977. Melvin continued his education and became a graduate of University of Maryland University College with a BS degree in Information Technology.

During his military career, Melvin went from basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina to deployment to different military arenas like Iraq War. Also, he was stationed in such places as Stuggart, West Germany and Wurzburg, Germany. Melvin received many citations like the Desert Storm/Desert Shield Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Because of his service to our country, we proudly thank and recognize Staff Sergeant Melvin Curtis Gay, another of our family’s military heroes.

To see an earlier post with more pictures of veterans in the family, click here.