of Searcy, AR

June 13, 1929 - June 19, 2019

Gilbert Richard Lay, 90, of Searcy, died Wednesday, June 19th, 2019. He was born June 13, 1929 in Gonzales, Texas to Burdette Albert Lay and Margaret Ruth (Loescher) Spahn.

After graduating in 1953 from Texas A&M with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Gilbert began an honorable 29-year U.S. Army career which included overseas duties in Iceland, Vietnam, and Korea, as well as assignments throughout the United States. He retired as a Colonel after completing his last assignment at the Pentagon in 1976. He then built a home in Heber Springs, where he was active in the community and church, and had his own realty and appraisal business. After moving to Searcy in 2000, Gilbert served as an elder at Cloverdale Church of Christ and enjoyed volunteering at the hospital. He was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Rick Young Post 7514 in Quitman and the American Legion Garner Brothers Post 91 in Beebe. Gilbert lived his life with faithfulness and joy and was dearly loved by his friends and family.

Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents, and his loving wife of 57 years, Marjorie Lay. He is survived by two daughters, Melissa Mangini of Searcy, Laura Hoffmann (Jim) of Searcy, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, other relatives and dear friends.

Services will be held on Tuesday, June 25th, with visitation at 10:00 am and funeral to follow at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at White County Memorial Gardens.

Online guestbook: rollerfuneralhomes.com/searcy

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Daniel Funeral Home
411 East Race Avenue
Searcy, AR  72145
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com