Tom David Gay

Graveside funeral services for Tom Gay, age 73 of Columbia, LA will be at 11:00 AM Friday, February 12, 2021 at Columbia Hill Cemetery, Columbia with Pastor Stephen Fife officiating. Services are under the direction of Riser and Son Funeral Home, Columbia. Tom David Gay was born on August 31, 1947 in Monroe, LA and passed from this life on February 5, 2021 at Citizens Medical Center in Columbia, LA. Tom was raised in Sterlington, LA and was an only child to his loving parents, Warren and Maudelle Gay. As a child, Tom was an enthusiastic member of The Boy Scouts of America where he completed the journey to become an Eagle Scout and was proudly inducted into The Order of the Arrow. After serving in The United Stated Coast Guard, Tom started his career in broadcasting as a disc jockey and continued to talk his way through many radio shows until 1978 when he settled in Columbia, LA and acquired KCTO, which was his first of many radio stations throughout North and Central Louisiana. Tom was a well-respected and much-loved member of his community… an entrepreneur, a visionary, but more than anything a friend. Tom served as Chairman of the Board of Citizens Medical Center for 19 years, as well as, President of The Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. As a member of The First United Methodist Church of Columbia, Tom could always be found on the 4th pew on the right – always ready to serve as an usher and faithfully singing his favorite hymns while sitting behind his best bud, Doc Cummings and surrounded by a congregation he so strongly cherished. Tom was an avid duck hunter, boater, and outdoorsman, as well as, an amazing husband, Father, and Grandfather. Tom’s greatest character trait was his “Jois De Vivre”… a true lover of life he never backed away from a good time, a good meal, or the chance to tell a good story. He was preceded in death by his father, David Warren Gay; his mother Edith Maudelle Freeman Gay; and his son-in-law Darren Jacobson. Tom is survived by his wife, Emily Kempton Gay; daughters Hollen Jacobson and Laura-Murphy Hass and husband Robbie Hass; his beloved grandchildren: Harrison Jacobson, Ramsey Jacobson, Emilyanne Jacobson, Avery Grant, Austin Grant, Hailey Hass, RJ Hass, and Madison Hass. Serving as pallbearers will be Scott Meredith, Mark Meredith, Charlie Simons, Russ Cummings, Freddy Woodfin, Steve Barbo and Ronnie Darden. Honorary pallbearers include Jimmy Hatten and Jim Popham. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Heartlight Ministries, P. O. Box 480, Hallsville, Texas 75650.