Obituary: Lionel Terrence Gay Sr., November 1, 1947 - August 19, 2022

Lionel Terrence Gay Sr., affectionally known as “Teddy”, was born on November 1, 1947, in Tullahassee, Oklahoma to parents, Q.T. and Ella Mae Gay. He was the sixth of thirteen children. Teddy attended Pinkard Chapel CME Church, where he sang in the choir with the rest of his sisters and brothers. He went to Carter G. Woodson from grade school through high school and graduated in 1965.

Soon after graduating, Teddy moved to Portland, Oregon to join his mother and siblings who had moved there previously. The following year, Teddy was drafted by the United States Army and proudly served his country from 1966 through 1968 - he was stationed in Germany as a Tank Commander. Teddy was honorably discharged from service and came back to Oregon. He became a member of Allen Temple CME Church and joined the usher board, which he took very seriously.

Teddy was employed at Chase Paper Bags Company. However, he found long-term employment at the Portland Food Bank, where he worked his way up the ranks and ultimately retired as a Warehouse Supervisor after 25 years. He took great pride in his work.

In 1986, Teddy fell in love and married Minnie Brown and was a proud father to her two children. Through their union together, their family of four grew as they welcomed a son; he had seven children total.

Teddy loved fishing, especially with his two brothers, Nehoma and LA. He enjoyed watching his old western shows and cheering for his favorite sports teams: the San Francisco 49ers, the Portland Trailblazers, the Oklahoma Sooners, and the LA Dodgers. He told the best stories and jokes to make us laugh; most of them he ended by saying, “I knew you’d get a kick out of that!” He was a devoted son, brother, father, and grandfather who will be remembered for his sense of humor, for always showing up for those he loved, and for his dedication to his family.

Teddy is survived by his 6 children, Michael Jackson (Elizabeth), Ivonne Gay, Lionel T. Gay Jr. (Tiara), Maurice Brown (Chajuana), Chiquita Brown, and Lashelle White; 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; Sisters – Vivian Snoddy (Bill, deceased), Gloria Buggs, (Q.L., deceased), Glenda Johnson (Mark), Beverly Sails (Duane); Juatorsha McKinney (Leonard), Marina Butler (Raymond), Sonya Freeman, Wende Gay, and LaTanya Jenkins; Brothers - Calvin Gay (Shara), Nehoma Gay, and L.C. Gay (Beverly), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Teddy is preceded in death by his mother, Ella Gay, father, Q.T. Gay, brother, LaFarrest “LA” Gay, son, Lashone Lawson, and nephew, D’wan Gay.

The celebration of life was held Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 1 p.m. in Portland, Oregon. Arrangements entrusted to Mt. Scott Funeral Home at 4205 SE 59th Ave. Portland, OR 97206.