Obituaries

Merlin Hubert Gay

Obituary

Merlin Hubert Gay was born on April 29, 1932 in Greenville, MI. He entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 23, 2021. Merlin was the youngest of six siblings and the son of two Free Methodist ministers, Reverend Merton and Orpah Gay. After winning the state high school track championship in the half mile, he hopped on a train and moved to Seattle to begin his freshman year at Seattle Pacific College (SPU.) There, he met his wife to be, Charlotte Ann Martinson. They were married in Bellingham, WA. Merlin and Charlotte celebrated nearly 64 years of marriage together. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his beloved wife, Charlotte, in 2016 and his cherished daughter, Sharon Lynn Lamb, in 2018.

Merlin is survived by his son Stephen Guye (Karen) of Loomis, CA, his son-in-law Elden Lamb of Lansing, MI, and daughter Sharleen Kato (Dean) of Bellevue, WA. He leaves six grandchildren: Koby Guye (Makenzie), Ashley Robinson, Shaina Tavares (Mark), Alex Kato (Annie), Stefanie Kosco (Colin), and Shelby Lamb (Tyler Huizenga) along with five great grandsons.

Merlin was employed at The Boeing Company for his entire career in finance as a budget controller, working from Everett to Kent and all offices in between. He spent several years working for Boeing at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Maria, CA.  He retired at age 61. After retirement, Merlin and Charlotte enjoyed traveling, gardening, attending concerts, and spending time with their dear lifelong friends, most from the former Lynnwood Baptist Church.

Throughout his life, Merlin enjoyed singing. He began in college singing in a men’s quartet and then spent many years singing in church choirs, quartets, often with his son Steve and daughter Shari, and singing solos. He loved classic hymns and contemporary Christian music. Merlin and Charlotte were members of Alderwood Community Church since 1984. They were active members, a highlight being a mission trip to Spain. In 2011, they moved into Ancora Village in Everett, WA where they lived among neighbors and friends, many they had known for most of their lives.  Merlin served on the board and various committees planning hymn sings and movie nights for the community. Merlin and Charlotte opened their home to friends, serving many delicious meals. After retirement, Merlin biked over 10,000 miles.

Merlin spent his last two years living close to his daughter in Redmond, WA. Although this last year was difficult with COVID shutdowns, we are grateful that in the last two weeks of his life we spent Easter together with family where he met his two youngest great grandsons for the first time. He was also able to take a long car drive, one of his favorite lifelong pastimes. We are thrilled that Merlin is breathing freely, singing worship to his God, and reunited with his many family members and friends who preceded him in death. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 1pm. on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Alderwood Community Church. Please feel free to join us. Appropriate COVID restrictions will be observed. If desired, remembrances may be made to The Gideons International (www.sendtheword.org).