James Jim C. Gay Jr. 55, of Hastings, Nebraska, died Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be Friday, January 13, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Michael F. McDermott will officiate. Military honors will be presented by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the Hastings DAV following the service. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. There is no visitation as Mr. Gays wishes were to be cremated. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Jim was born August 10, 1956, at St. Paul, Nebraska. He was the son of James J. & Mary (Hartford) Gay Sr. Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Rogene Gay of Hastings, NE One son & daughter-in-law, Nick & Angel Gay of Palmer, NE One daughter, Heather Gay and significant other Brian Elsbernd of Grand Island, NE Step-daughter & step-son-in-law, Joni Renz & Clay Corcoran of Winter Haven, FL Step-sons & step-daughters-in-law, Jock & Tracy Renz of Kearney, NE Jed Renz of Lincoln, NE His parents of Palmer, NE Brothers & sisters-in-law, Ron & Margi Gay of Lincoln, NE Rick & Peg Gay of Onawa, Iowa Terry & Brenda Gay of Ravenna, NE Sisters & brothers-in-law, Sandra & John Killion of Doniphan, NE Barb & Mike Christensen of Palmer, NE Lori & Joel Frickey of Kearney, NE Others left to cherish is memory include his grandchildren, Remington & Emily Gay, Shy, Baylee & Mak Kistler and Treyvn Renz and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim grew up in St. Paul before moving to Grand Island where he attended Grand Island Sr. High School. He married Wanda Niedfelt, on August 24, 1974, at Grand Island, NE. They lived in Grand Island and he was employed at Weathercraft. He entered the U. S. Army on January 6, 1982 serving until his honorable discharge on August 10, 1987. He returned to Palmer and was an OTR trucker for several trucking companies. He later was employed with Werner Construction. He married Rogene E. Renz on November 2, 2008, at Hastings, NE. They lived in Hastings. For the past five years he worked for his sons electrical business, Nicks Electric. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, especially with his son, grandson, and his yellow lab Annie, camping and spending time at the river. He was a member of the Hastings DAV, and the American Legion at Palmer. He is preceded in death by a son, Jason Gay, his grandparents, Edna & Evert Gay and Charles & Irene Hartford. Memorials are suggested to the familys choice. On-line condolences may be given and his video tribute viewed at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Jims obituary.