Gay grew up in Michigan enjoying things like fishing, hunting and sports. He grew up with a large loving family. Spending many days on North Lake with them all.

He made the bold move to Southern California with his family, enrolled in Long Beach State College and there he met Sue. The two of them started their lives together, moved to Bakersfield, and there he owned Reynolds Trophy shop.

Gay grew his business and partnered with his father in the Trophy Shop, while raising his family. He and Sue had two children and loved being parents to them.

During this time Gay was coach to many of his kid's sport teams, Sports Dad to many of the other kids on his children's teams, and Encourager to many.

He spent a lot of time fishing and hunting, as well as teaching his Kids to love the great outdoors. He was an avid pilot as well. Again – including his whole family in the adventure. He may have been first to get his private pilots license, but he made sure the rest of his family wasn't far behind.

After the kids grew, Gay decided to retire from the Trophy business and start the next phase of his life. He and Sue moved to Colorado. Gay became an EMT and Volunteer Fire Fighter. He also served as Fire Chief of the Livermore Fire Department.

He and Sue served as missionaries for the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters, and Gay became their director. This was his new calling. He and Sue grew the ministry and met Firefighters from all over the world. They enjoyed serving this community, and leading others to the Lord. Gay was among the first called to Minister in New York after 9/11 where he spent many hours assisting in operations, and then preparing memorial and funerals for fallen firefighters. My dad was very proud of the people he worked with and continued to remain close to them as years went by. Many deep connections were made.
Gay and Sue co -authored a Firefighter/EMS devotional, specifically for those in the fire service, and were quite happy to get it in the hands of Firefighters all over the world. As they gathered stories for this devotional Gay again met many amazing people and made a deep connection that continued over the years. He continued to travel to be at conferences and meet with Firefighter all over.
It was always fun to see where Dad's phone calls were coming from.

Gay and Sue Loved being Grandparents. They took the time to make sure to get to as many events as the grandkids participated in. They traveled all over California for Volleyball and Water polo, and Colorado for Swimming, track, Cross country, basketball, and shooting sports. As the kids headed off to college they followed them through the college sports, and if they couldn't be there in person – you could hear them screaming at the tv as they watching them!

His wife preceded him in death, and Gay was left to find his way after 54 years of being with Sue. He made new friends and became involved in a Men's Bible study/coffee group. He was a season-ticket holder for the UNC Volleyball team and enjoyed attending those with his friend Ted.
One of the funniest, Loving, caring men was free to go home to his wife. And although we will miss him on this earthly planet, we are strong in our faith in God, that he is welcomed in his new home in Heaven, and that he is reunited with his wife.

Gay is survived by his daughter Alycia (Kelly) Carmin, Son George ( Jill ) Reynolds, Grand Children Jake Carmin ( Olivia) , Kordell Carmin, Colby Carmin, Emma Reynolds, and Grayden Reynolds. He is also survived by his brother Russ and family, and Sister Pam and family, as well as many amazing Cousins.

In Lieu of flowers if you are so inclined to help continue Gay's passion for placing Bibles and devotionals in firefighter's hands, we are asking that you make a donation in his name to Rick Barton Ministries. (PO Box 1155, Gunnison CO 81230)