Jeff Gay, age 68, of Jackson, Minnesota, passed away with his wife and daughter by his side, at his residence, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Jackson, with Pastor Lance Isaacson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, January 31, 2022, at the Osterberg Funeral Home in Jackson. Military Honors will be performed by Jackson American Legion Post #130. Burial will be held at a later date.
Jeffrey Lyman Gay, son of Lyman and Donna Mae (Johnson) Gay, was born on Sunday, August 9, 1953, in Marshall, Minnesota. He attended and graduated from Marshall High School. Jeff worked as a mechanic in his father’s shop growing up. Upon graduation he joined the Army National Guard. On November 14, 1981, Jeff was united in marriage to Debra Nordby at the First Lutheran Church in Marshall. Jeff and Deb lived in Jackson, where they raised their 2 children Jason and Mandy, along with a foster child Terri Jandera. Jeff wore many hats throughout his lifetime (as noted on his handwritten biography). On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, Jeff lost his battle with cancer at the age of 68 years, 5 months, and 17 days.
Jeff is survived by his wife of 40 years Deb; son Jason Gray (special friend Maggie Thorne), daughter Mandy (Dustin) Miller; former foster daughter Terri (Bill) Jandera; grandchildren Kristopher, Jacob, Gus, Easton, Corbyn, Olyvia, Jonathon, Casey, and Jessica; sister-in-law Nancy Moriss, aunts Kae Dressen, Shirley Jones and Edith Borden, along with many other cousins, family members and close friends. Jeff is preceded in death by his parent’s Lyman and Donna Mae, in-laws Omer (Bud) and Elaine Nordby, and Uncle Bill Dressen.
Once last personal note from Jeff: “Take care and safe ‘travels,’ keep a ‘mind’s eye’ open for me, I may show up at the darndest places in your trip!”
