Dr. Gilbert D. Jay III's Obituary
Dr. Gilbert D. Jay III retired general surgeon and Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery passed away at the age of 92, on October 15, 2012 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Dr. Gilbert (better known as Gib) was born February 7, 1920 in South Bend, Indiana. He was the son of Gilbert D. Jay Jr. And Helen Lent Jay of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On August 13, 1942 he married Mary Frances Bowers in Old Christ Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As a young man Dr. Jay earned the rank of Eagle Scout and as a senior at South Bend Central received acclaim for achieving a perfect score in Indiana on the SAT and received a scholarship to Yale which he declined. He attended the University of Pennsylvania both the Moore School of Engineering and Medical School, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Doctorate of Medicine. He was a member of three honorary Electrical Engineering fraternities and was a past president of Nu Sigma Nu Medical Fraternity.
During World War II he served two years as a flight surgeon and then finished his medical training in surgery at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. On completion of his residency Dr. Jay opened a medical practice in West Memphis, Arkansas becoming the first surgeon to service the Crittenden County area.
Dr. Jay was in practice for 35 years. While residing in West Memphis he was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church and the Chamber of Commerce presenting him with their Man of the Year Award in 1952. He was also member, past president and was named a Paul Harris Scholar in Rotary International.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Mary Bowers Jay; his son Charles Bowers Jay and his wife Karen of Round Rock, Texas; three daughters Helen Renee Webb and her husband Nick of Oxford, Mississippi; Atara Sue Hunter of Lafayette, Indiana and Judith Lent Porter and her husband Kim of Georgetown, Kentucky; 7 grandchildren and 8 great grand children
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Edwin Lent Jay; and his son, Gilbert D. Jay IV.
Dr Jay's body has been donated to the University Of Arkansas School Of Medicine
There will be no memorial service here; the celebration will take place in heaven.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
1378 June Self Drive
Bethel Heights, Arkansas 72764
Arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville.
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