Keith D. Gay

Keith D. Gay, age 92, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka. Keith was born the son of Leonard J. and “Marie” Opal (Lapo) Gay on August 13, 1927 in Topeka, KS. He attended East Topeka Jr. High and was a 1945 graduate from Topeka High School. After graduating high school, Keith joined the United States Navy where he played in the Navy Band and served his country with pride during World War II. Keith cherished his opportunity to travel with the Heartland Honor Flight on October 6, 2015. When Keith returned home from the Navy, he traveled as a professional musician for three years. He then, attended Sioux City Barber College in Iowa and returned to Topeka to join his father’s business as a barber for 32 years. He then, attended Washburn University and obtained his Bachelors Degree. He had worked as a Barber for many years, owned his own accounting firm and retired as an Auditor for the State of Kansas Department of Revenue. Keith was passionate about jazz music his entire life. He was an avid jazz musician and had his own band called, Keith Gay Band & His Crew. He played in several other bands in Topeka. He enjoyed square dancing, water skiing, boating, cruises and traveling. Above all, Keith loved spending time with his family. He was involved in multiple organizations throughout his life that included; Moose Lodge #555 and was a 25-year club member and earned a Fellowship Degree of Honor from the Lodge; American Legion Post #1 member; Musicians Union; Barbers Union where he served as Secretary Treasurer and a member of the Topeka Chapter Association of Government Accountants. He married Emma Hook on June 4th 1991 in Topeka and together, they shared almost 30 years of marriage. Other survivors include his five children, Kim D. Gay, Kyle D. Gay and his wife Flo, Kurt D. Gay and his wife Pam, Kristi D. Lewis and her husband Kirk, Keely D. Moore and her husband James; two step-sons, Jeffrey Morstorf and his wife Bethany, Todd Morstorf and his wife Valerie; numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Jane Gay. Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2020 from 10-11:00 A.M., followed by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 227 SW Van Buren St., Topeka, KS 66603. Inurnment will follow at Topeka Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Cir., Topeka, KS 66606 and/or Topeka Jazz Workshop, P.O. Box 452, Topeka, KS 66601. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home. To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit Keith’s memorial webpage at www.brennanmathenafh.com. Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.