Leon Julius Gay, 56, of Carthage, MO departed this life on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Leon entered this life on May 30, 1959 in Wagoner, Oklahoma to the union of the late Early and Pearlie Mae (Brown) Gay, Sr. He was a graduate of Wagoner High School. JuJu accepted the Lord at an early age and attended Trinity Church of Christ in Wagoner, Oklahoma. He was one who had a love for life. While working various odd jobs throughout Tulsa, Oklahoma and Carthage, Missouri, his family was his world. He met the love of his life, Wendy Smith in October, 2005. They were united in marriage on October 17, 2015 in Miami, Oklahoma. He loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, music and spending time with his family and friends as well as his fur baby "Boog".

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Leon is survived by his wife; three children, Julius, Jr., and wife KayKay, Melissa and Dantre all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; four step children; Cody, Jennifer, Adam and Jeremy; two grandchildren; Julius, III and Jazale; four brothers, Clifford Cotton, of Carthage, Missouri, Douglas Gay and wife Shirley of Wagoner, Oklahoma, Sylvester Gay and wife Freddie and Early Gay, Jr., and his wife Jody, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five sisters; Earline Gay, Fannie Gay and husband Drew, Pearline Fischer and husband Frank, Jannie Gay, and ChaCha Gay all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; father and mother in law, Gary and Linda Smith of Grove, Oklahoma; brother in law, David Culp and wife Melissa of Joplin, Missouri and sister in law, Tammi Cain and husband Will of Diamond, Missouri; several nephews and nieces as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services for Leon on 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie, Missouri with Pastor Lisa Davis officiating. Burial to follow in Sarcoxie Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Julius Nicholson, Jr., Deontae Lovelace, Dewantez Lovelace, De'Ontae Hobbs, Cody Parish and Julius Nicholson III. The family has directed contributions be made to the funeral home for final funeral expenses. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, Missouri.