Russ Gay

Russ Gay, 84, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 2, 2024, surrounded by family at home. He was born on June 10, 1939, to Elliott and Edna Gay. He was the second of four children. He lived for several years at Almota and then moved to the family farm near Onecho where his love of farming began. He showed Angus and Hereford steers in the late 1950’s. He received Reserve Champion Angus and Prime Steer awards at the Spokane Livestock Show. At the 39th annual Golden Spike Livestock Show in 1957, he received the Grand Champion award in the First Premium Junior and Prime categories.

He graduated Colfax High School in 1957 and married Penny Holbrook on June 13, 1959. Russ and Penny resided several places in the area before moving back to the Holbrook family homestead. They continued to farm and ranch there for many years. Russ enjoyed being a father and a fulltime farmer and rancher. His day began before sunrise and ended well after sunset.

Russ was the Onecho cemetery grounds keeper from 1988-1993. He was also Sexton for several years. Russ, Penny and the family took care of the Onecho cemetery by mowing and trimming on weekends. Following their farming career, Russ and Penny worked together for twenty plus years in the custodial business they started. Russ attended Onecho Bible Church since he was a child.

Russ is survived by his children; Sandra (David) Hill of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Lisa (Aaron) Hammond of Longview, Wash., Ted (Anne) Gay of Spokane, Wash., and John (Jodi) Gay of Pullman, Wash .; and by his sister Donna Larsen of Spokane, brother Robert Gay of Colfax, Wash., and by 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren all of whom he was very proud of. He was preceded in death by his parents Elliott and Edna Gay, sister Jane Gay, a granddaughter Alauna Gay and his wife Penny Gay. His family suggest memorial gifts to Onecho Bible Church.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Onecho Bible Church. Burial will follow the service at the Onecho Cemetery. Corbeill Funeral Homes of Colfax is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com