Roger William Gay

TOMAHAWK, Wis. - Roger William Gay, age 80, died peacefully on March 6, 2018 at Tomahawk Health Services.

Roger was born on Feb. 3, 1938, in Paw Paw, Mich., to Eunice 'Chick' and Robert 'Red' Gay. He graduated from Ewen, Mich., schools in 1955 and went immediately into the Army. He married Dorothy Mattson in 1959, and they made their first home in Kenosha, where Roger was employed at American Motors. They returned to Paulding, Mich., shortly after the birth of their daughter and spent the next 58 years there, with Roger working many of those years for the White Pine Copper Mine Company. After battling a chronic illness, in the fall of 2017 Roger was moved into hospice care in Tomahawk to be near family.

Roger most enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at his cabin in Haight Township. He also enjoyed sharing stories and coffee with family and friends that stopped by their home on the Bond Falls Road. He was always lending a hand to anyone that needed help with a project in the area.

Roger 'Ol Body' is survived by his two children Debra (John) Zuelsdorf, of Tomahawk, and Gregory (Damaris) Gay, of Panama; grandchildren Amy (Nick) Onesti, of Minneapolis, Emily Zuelsdorf, of Milwaukee, and Kayleen Gay, of Panama. He is further survived by his great grandchild, Owen Onesti.

Roger is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy (Mattson); parents - Eunice and Robert Gay; and brother - Robert.

Roger was cremated per his wishes. A memorial graveside service will be scheduled in the spring at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Krueger Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Tomahawk, handled the arrangements for the family. You may view the full obituary at kruegerfamilyfuneral.com

Condolences can be sent to: Deb Zuelsdorf, 1245 E. King Rd, Tomahawk, WI and on Facebook to Gregory Gay, Panama City, Panama.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Tomahawk Health Services and Ministry Medical Hospice for their wonderful care.