Gary Jay
Gary Jay, a kind, talented, remarkable husband, father, and friend died suddenly, but peacefully on Thanksgiving night, November 28, 2019 at the age of 68. He was born and raised in Ft. Worth, graduated from Arlington Heights High School and went on to earn a film degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1973.
The day after graduation he moved to Munich and worked under Dedo Weigert filming documentaries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Japan, Korea, and Brazil for the Ft. Worth based Baptist Radio and Television Commission. During that period, he was tasked with organizing the cameras for the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck and also capturing the behind the scenes for the unforgettable film The Wind and the Lion. This was his first exposure to feature films and upon returning to Texas, he established himself as a First Assistant Cameraman and began a 45 year career working in theatrical filmmaking.
In 1992, he moved up to the position of Camera Operator and framed many notable films including, Heat, The Insider, Ali, Collateral, L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile, Traffic, Wonder Boys, Nell, Family Man, The Quick and the Dead, In Her Shoes, and many more. He had recently retired although returned to work briefly on a meaningful project called Let Them All Talk. He was honored with three nominations by the Society of Camera Operators for his work on the first Netflix series, House of Cards, as well as a nomination for the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 1991, while working on Last of the Mohicans in Asheville, N. C., he married Laurie Allison, a script supervisor he’d worked with locally over several years. He happily became an immediate dad to Laurie’s young daughter, Nicci, who he legally adopted when she was grown having been a constant, loving and supportive force in her life. As the years passed, their family grew having two more children, Anna and Eli.
Gary had a passion for designing and making things. He had spent many years renovating a Historical home in East Dallas teaching himself all aspects of building construction. Later, he decided to try his hand at designing a home so he bought a CAD program and got to work. In 1996, he and Laurie moved their family from Dallas to McKinney into the home that Gary designed. His favorite place to be was his woodshop, where he spent the bulk of his time in between location film projects, fixing things and building furniture.
A born teacher, Gary taught and encouraged many young people pursuing a career in the camera department, including his daughter, Anna, who worked alongside of him on several seasons of House of Cards. He lovingly taught his three children to swim, ski, ride bikes, drive, play games, take things apart, appreciate things well-constructed, and enjoy photography, both still and moving. He volunteered for organizations in support of his kids’ interests including mentoring his son, Eli, through the completion of his Eagle Scout Project. Because of his immense curiosity and deep knowledge on so many subjects they referred to him as “Google.” He was a calming and steady presence wherever he lent his time and talents. He spent his career putting others front and center, but he will be most remembered for his humility, his authentic nature and that unforgettable laugh.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Jay and Edith (Stallings) Jay Shannon, and his sister, Judy Luck. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Laurie of McKinney; son, Eli Jay, currently attending Univ. of Missouri; daughters, Nicci Jay of Denver; Anna Jay of Los Angeles; beloved grandchildren, Zeke, Liam, and Margaux; numerous adored nieces and nephews and many relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church in McKinney on December 15, at 2pm. Donations may be made to Trinity Presbyterian in support of their work with Habitat for Humanity, a mission close to Gary’s heart, or to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) in his memory.