November 6, 2002 – October 2, 2024

MMN2 Colby Lei Gay, 21, of St Mary’s, Georgia passed away on October 2, 2024. Colby was born in Plano on November 6, 2002, to Shaun Gay and Krystal Ogden Gay.

Colby graduated from Shoemaker High School in Killeen in May of 2021. Colby was part of his high school band and played the clarinet. He carried that love over through his recruit training and played at his graduation as part of the ceremony. Colby’s favorite things to do were paintball with friends, shooting his guns at the range, working on his motorcycles, and riding them, collecting Pokémon cards, watching anime, and playing video games. He loved life and treated everyone like family. His smile and laugh could light up a room. The greatest thing about Colby was the size of his heart. Everyone who met Colby knew he was a genuinely caring soul who would do anything for those he loved, and he meant every word he said. Colby was stubborn and he was strong.

Colby enlisted in the United States Navy Nuclear program in August 2021. He completed recruit training and graduated on April 15, 2022. He successfully

completed the instruction for Machinist’s Mate. Colby graduated from Advanced Nuclear Power School Class 2207 on March 17, 2023. He completed NPTU Charleston on September 15, 2023, as MMN3 Colby Gay. He re-listed on January 26, 2024, to continue to do what he loved. He faithfully served the United States Navy with his fellow submariner brothers on the USS Maryland (SSBN 738)(Gold).

Colby leaves behind a beautiful fiancée whom he has loved wholeheartedly, Ruanice Brito; a younger brother, Connor Gay; his father, Shaun Gay; his mother, Krystal Gay; his grandparents, Mickey and Connie Gay; and many others. He is loved and will be missed. Services to be announced at a later date.