Ronald Gene Shay May 2, 1943 - July 10, 2015

Ronald Gene Shay, 72, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2015, at the Hospice Home in Wentworth. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery. A native of Evansville, Indiana, Gene was born on May 2, 1943, the son of the late Jesse and Mildred Grieve Shay. Gene was a jack-of-all trades, could do anything he set his mind to, but he especially enjoyed the years he spent as a long-haul driver because it meant time spent with his late wife, Mary Pegram Shay. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, gun collector and fisherman. He was a member of the North American Fishing Club. In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by a nephew, William Joseph Shay. Surviving are his daughter April Shay (Jonathan Johnson) of Greensboro; step-children William Murphy, Vicki Balkey, and Karen Goolsby; brother Gary Lee Shay and sister-in-law Deborah Lackey Shay both of Rockville, Indiana; nephew Gary Lee Shay, II; 8 grandchildren Jennifer Goolsby, Michael Murphy, Brittany Murphy, Dakota Murphy, Brandon Goolsby, T. J. Goolsby, Justin Overby, and James Balkey; great granddaughter Khloe Balkey; and special friend Ann Tilley. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Forbis & Dick Brooke Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Home of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375. Online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.