- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Batesville Today
By the People, for the People
Longtime Floral Resident Ray Wayne Gay Dies at 75
Gay was a cattle farmer and longtime volunteer firefighter in the small Arkansas town.
Mar. 24, 2026 at 1:56am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Ray Wayne Gay, a 75-year-old cattle farmer and longtime volunteer firefighter in Floral, Arkansas, passed away on March 21, 2026. Gay lived and worked on his family's farm for his entire 75-year life and was a member of the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, where he took care of the church's cemetery for over 30 years.
Why it matters
Gay's death marks the passing of a pillar of the small Floral community, where he was known for his dedication to his farm, church, and fire department over the course of his lifetime. His involvement in local institutions highlights the importance of community-minded individuals in maintaining the fabric of rural towns.
The details
Gay was born on November 9, 1950, in Batesville, Arkansas, to Ray and Wynlee (Dunn) Gay. He spent his entire life working on the family farm, raising cattle, chickens, and rabbits. For over 40 years, he was a volunteer firefighter with the Floral Fire Department. He was also a longtime caretaker of the Cedar Grove Cemetery, which is associated with the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, where he was a member.
- Ray Wayne Gay passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
- Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
- Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
The players
Ray Wayne Gay
A 75-year-old cattle farmer and longtime volunteer firefighter in Floral, Arkansas who passed away on March 21, 2026.
Cedar Grove United Methodist Church
The church in Floral, Arkansas where Gay was a member and took care of the church's cemetery for over 30 years.
Floral Fire Department
The fire department in Floral, Arkansas where Gay served as a volunteer firefighter for over 40 years.
The takeaway
Ray Wayne Gay's lifelong dedication to his community, church, and fire department exemplifies the important role that community-minded individuals play in maintaining the fabric of rural towns like Floral, Arkansas.
