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Gay B. WILKES

1918 - 2014

Gay B. WILKES obituary, 1918-2014, Austin, TX

BORN

1918

DIED

2014

FUNERAL HOME

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

6100 North Lamar

Austin, Texas

Gay WILKES Obituary

WILKES, Gay B.

February 28, 1918-July 12, 2014

Gay Barr Wilkes was born in Bowie, Texas, on February 28, 1918, to James Martin Barr and Manisa Guthrie Barr. She often said she was the luckiest person in the world because born five minutes ahead of her was her identical twin, Fay Barr Kastelic, her lifelong best friend. Around Bowie, they were known simply as the "Barr Twins." In 1938, with $50 each in their pockets, they left for Austin and enrolled at the University of Texas.

Gay left college in 1941 to marry the man for whom she held the deepest love and respect, the newly graduated civil engineer, Jack Wilkes. They moved to Washington D.C., where both worked for the Navy Department. In 1947, Jack left for Manila, Philippines, to serve as a bridge engineer for the Bureau of Public Roads. Six months later, Gay followed with their two little girls and soon opened a Five & Dime Store in the American compound.

In 1950, the family returned to Austin, Texas and built a home in the new neighborhood of Rollingwood. When her third daughter entered kindergarten, Gay headed back to UT to finish her degree, a life ambition and, in her words, the highlight of her education. She then forged a career in teaching, first substituting at Fulmore Junior High for a teacher on maternity leave - Ann Richards, the future governor of Texas. Elected to Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary teaching organization, she then taught for four years at Martin Middle School in Raleigh, N.C., where she helped push for a long-overdue teacher pay raise; and for 14 years at Annandale High School in Springfield, Va., where she won Teacher of the Year several times. Through teaching, she shaped thousands of lives, all the while making the profession sound like the most fun job in the world.

Gay loved teaching geography. Ever the pusher of boundaries, she subscribed to "USSR," a propaganda magazine, for use in her classroom; she proudly thought that the subscription landed her on a CIA list of suspicious characters. She later visited Russia, and she was one of the first American citizens to gain permission to travel in China in 1976, when the gates at Canton opened.

An avid reader and follower of Book Talk on PBS, she was also keenly interested in politics. Gay, a staunch Democrat, and Jack were on opposite ends of the political spectrum. When Fay ran for city council in Pueblo, Co. - and later for mayor - Gay was right by her side. The twins always dressed alike when they were together and had great fun confusing people in both Austin and Pueblo.

Returning to Austin in the mid-80's, she and Jack continued to organize the annual Federal Highway Administration reunions, travel broadly, play golf, and cook pecan waffles for all the guests who stayed in their home. In her own words, one of her proudest achievements was the ability to make and keep friends. Among her many associations, her favorite was the Wednesday Night Great Hills Ladies Talking and Drinking Club.

Jack died in 2004 of cancer, and in a miraculous coincidence, Gay and Fay suffered identical strokes on the same day in 2010, 800 miles apart. Fay died four days later. Lovingly cared for in her home by Ariana Sanchez and Blanca Pantoja, Gay died peacefully on July 12, 2014.

She is survived by her daughters: Theo Coonrod (David) of Austin; Trudy Glasscock of Ringgold, Va.; and Gay Lee Pearce (Ken) of Houston; seven grandchildren: Seth Van Winkle, Sara Alvarez, Joshua Glasscock, Gabriel Tuttle, Theo Vogel, Salem Pearce, and Jordan Pearce; and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Gay will be held at 2:00 on Sunday, July 20, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, with a viewing starting at 1:00.

Memorial gifts in Gay's honor can be sent to Saint Mary's School, 900 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from Jul. 18 to Jul. 19, 2014.
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I was searching online, having thought about Mrs. Wilkes many times over the years. I did not enjoy high school, was not engaged preferring to read at home, but Mrs. Wilkes brought Geography alive and was an absolutely amazing teacher, one of the very best ever. In my professional life, I have had the good fortune to travel all over the world and I often think of Mrs. Wilkes. I joked that she was looking forward to retirement the way I was looking forward to graduation and she graciously laughed. With sincere condolences to her family, thank you for sharing her with us, her appreciative students!Sara Lake

Sara Lake

July 25, 2016

Have not seen Ms. Wilkes since junior high, but I have thought of her often and remembered how she inspired her students to succeed. What a gift she was to all her knew her.

Sandy Sterzing

July 20, 2014

A wonderful member and President of the Current Book Club here in Austin. She tried her best to keep us together even after losing many members to death. My sympathy to all her family. Hazel Nichols

July 19, 2014

Theo, Trudy and Gay Lee - I was so sorry
to learn of Gay's death. She and Jack
were a big part of our FHWA lives for 30years - I will always remember all the fun times we had together. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tommie Reinhardt

July 18, 2014

A great and kind lady. She will be missed.
Julie (mrs w.p ) Carroway

July 18, 2014

I first met Gay and Jack in The Sea Frontier Compound in Manila when my father went there for the Bureau of Public Roads in 1949. They became very good friends of our family while we were there and after when we settled in Austin and Dad was in the Division Office of FHWA. I also worked with Jack during my career in FHWA after graduating from UT. I will always remember Gay for her friendliness and positive outlook on life that she projected and shared with those who knew her. I would like to express my and my family's condolences to Gay's family on their grievous loss. My God look kindly upon you and yours during this time of mourning.

John Stubblefield

July 18, 2014

When my father, Dorman Stubblefield, passed away, my mother, my brother and I were very surprised to see Jack and Gay standing by the graveside after years of absence in their friendship and work place. My family was in the Philippines at the same time that the Wilkes family. My father and Jack, both civil engineers, were working together with the other engineers of the Bureau of Public Roads to rebuild the roads and bridges after WWII. Our families rejoined in Austin in the early 50's. I still remember the house that Jack built in Rollingwood. The house is no longer there. I have fond memories of Jack and Gay, and I send a prayer and my deepest sympathy to the family.

Ramona Stubblefield Beasley

Ramona Beasley

July 18, 2014

I am saddened to note Gay's passing. She and Jack were close friends of my parents. She subsequently taught me typing, and we had the opportunity to visit them from time to time in various locations. Wonderful people, wonderful family. Our thoughts are with their fine family.

Ken Rigsbee

July 18, 2014

Granny Gay always knew just what to say to put the other person at ease. Maybe that kind of acceptance in others comes more naturally when you know you are identical to someone just like yourself who longs for a loving hand. Few of us can be that lucky to ever know. Whatever it was, she had huge amounts of it and I'm so glad she shared it with me and my family all these years.

June Woest

July 18, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, friends Ken and Gay Lee. We remember fondly, Gay Lee, your mom's gracious hospitality at dinner at her lovely Austin home and her vivacious and young spirit.

Bonnie & Dan Watkins

July 17, 2014

Gay has always been like my second mother. I grew up living very close by and have many happy memories of the Wilkes family and my best friend, Gay Lee. Gay has treated me as one of her family for so long, I now believe I am. Her wisdom, generosity, hospitality and love will never be forgotten.

Kaki Kinser

July 17, 2014

Thousands of children's lives have been changed by this beautiful woman. Her commitment to education inspired her children to continue the high standard of excellence she set. Now she is on a new learning adventure!

Dana Stewart

July 16, 2014

When I first played golf at Great Hills golf course I played with Gay, she was so nice to me. She will be missed by all the Great Hill WGA members.What a great Lady is was.
Deloris Crider (Austin, Tx)

July 15, 2014

We had the privilege of meeting Granny Gay during our time in Houston. She had a sweet and loving personality that made us feel right at home. Even though it was only a short time with her, she was a joy to be around. I know that she will be greatly missed, but I can't help but to think what joy she will have walking around in those heavenly places with other friends and family.
Love, Allen and Mot Butler

July 15, 2014

When they created the term, "a life well-lived," they were talking about Granny Gay. She always brightened up the campus at Saint Mary's School when she visited and was so kind to me when my mother died that I will never forget it. Rest in peace, Granny Gay! Love to the family.

Mary Virginia Swain

July 15, 2014

I have known Granny Gay for over 50 years. Theo has been my deep personal friend for as many years. I cannot possibly communicate how wonderful this lady has been to me. Countless dinners, breakfasts, celebrations, fun times with the Wilkes. I have always been welcomed with a hug from Granny, even these past few years from the wheelchair. She always looked beautiful - groomed and dressed lovingly by Theo, Ariana, and Blanca. She is everything everybody has said about her and more. But you all know that. I will miss her, because, really, she was my granny also. And I know that now she is happy with Jack! That gives me a great sense of peace.

Margie Sanford

July 15, 2014

Ms. Gay, you will be missed by so many and you were loved by so many. We will miss that sweet smile of yours, that spunk and wittiness you had and that great personality of taking in everyone you met as your friend. You are one of a kind but the good Lord already had your wings waiting and we shall all see you again one day in that glorious home above we all wait for. Peace and comfort be with all of your family and friends.
Patti (Pearce) Davenport

Patti Davenport

July 15, 2014

So sorry for your loss. However when the books closed down here, the Book of Life was opened in eternity & I am confident from having know Gay Lee that there will be a reunion one day. I pray that Yahweh talks to you in your sorrow.

July 15, 2014

Thanks for being a wonderful mother-in-law and sharing Gay Lee with me for all these years. I will miss you.

Kenneth H Pearce

July 15, 2014

I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Gay (and her husband, Jack) on a few occasions at their home in Austin. Gay was the mother-in-law of my best friend, Ken Pearce, and mother of Ken's wife Gay Lee. I have known Ken since the fourth grade and Gay Lee since our days at the University of Texas. Gay was always the perfect hostess. Gracious, interesting to talk to, and entertaining. You could tell by talking to her that she loved life and loved her family very much. A person's passing is always difficult, not for the person who has passed, as they are in a better place, but for those who are left behind. I wish for peace and comfort for the entire family as they go through the healing process. The part of the family that I know is devoutly Christian and I know that will give them the needed strength and comfort. Note to Ken: I noted as I read Gay's obituary that she was a staunch Democrat. Good for her! Don't you know that you are supposed to please your mother-in-law? It's a wonder Gay agreed to your marriage to Gay Lee. I'm sure she did that with great reservations.

Terry Maxfield

July 15, 2014

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Cook-Walden Funeral Home

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Cook-Walden Funeral Home

6100 North Lamar, Austin , TX

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