Robert (Bob) G. Lay

Robert (Bob) G. Lay

Robert (Bob) G. Lay, age 84, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday morning, Feb. 2, 2020, in Hillsboro, Ore. Bob was born on a small farm Sept. 22, 1935, in Bourbon County, one-half mile north of Fulton, Kan. The family often struggled to survive through harsh winters, hot summers, and tough times, but they had much love, happy times, and were very close as a family. As a farm boy, Bob loved hunting rabbits with his father, Glen, and became a skilled hunter (a talent that would prove to be of great benefit in his military years). As a mischievous boy, he enjoyed teasing his sisters but found much solace and comfort in them throughout the remainder of their lives. He always expressed deep love for his mother, Nellie.

He attended White School, a one-room schoolhouse, until fourth grade, and then attended Mapleton School until eighth grade. During that time, he acquired a guitar, which became a lifelong passion. Bob attended high school at Fulton High School, and then attended Prescott High School, where he graduated in 1953.

After graduating, Bob joined the United States Marine Corps. He became known for his marksmanship ability as well as for his leadership skills, character, fortitude, musical talent, and great sense of humor. Bob went on to serve for nearly 23 years in the Corps. During that time he worked as Utilities Chief, with special assignments including Drill Instructor at Parris Island, SC, Marine Corps Recruiter, and First Sergeant of an infantry company in the First Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan. He also served two tours of duty in Vietnam in 1964 (Operation SHUFLY) and in 1968.

During those years, Bob also set up musical performances in different venues, including military clubs, talent shows, television performances, barn dances, reunions, and anywhere people asked him to perform. He always managed to form country/western bands wherever he went, even after his military retirement.

Bob met his true love, Delores Mae Gregorovich, a city girl from Braddock, Pa., and they married on Dec. 30, 1960. Delores held down the fort at home with their five children during Bob’s deployments, never wavering in her devotion to her husband and her pride in his accomplishments.

After his Marine Corps retirement, Bob attended Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree and his Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in Communications in 1979. It was in that year that he began his employment with the then-Kansas Commission on Civil Rights, retiring in 1997 as executive director. Even after retirement, Bob continued to teach public speaking and English composition classes at a community college. In August of 1999, Governor Bill Graves appointed him as commissioner to the Kansas Commission of Civil Rights, representing business and industry.

A wonderful storyteller, Bob authored a book, “Continue to March” (available on Amazon.com), chronicling his adventures, beginning with life on the farm as a young boy and through the rest of his life in the military, and later becoming a fairly well-known musician.

Bob’s five children followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming Marines themselves, including their youngest son, Dwight (D.W.), who was awarded the title Honorary Marine following a disabling car accident while still in his teens. The family became something of celebrities for their patriotism and were featured in the Marine Corps “Leatherneck Magazine.” Bob wrote and recorded “The Marine’s Ballad” and “Make a Marine,”also featured in the same magazine, and which was being aired on local radio stations in the U.S. and on jukeboxes at military bases and overseas.

Bob and Delores moved to Hillsboro, Ore., in 2000 to be close to their children who lived in Oregon and California. They had been married 59 years.

Bob leaves behind a grateful family who will be forever bound together by many happy memories and great pride in his accomplishments and the example of his life. We will all “continue to march” as you have directed us. Love you, Dad!

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Nellie (Chaney) Lay, his sisters Margaret McMillin, Dorothy Irwin, Betty Guilfoyle, and Judy Smith. He is survived by his wife, Delores, daughter Valerie Martin and her husband, Ron, Bobbie Lay and his wife, Barbara, Mark Lay, Quentin Lay, and Dwight Lay, along with nine grandchildren, Ronnie Martin, Bryan Martin, Adam Lay, Brandy Lay, Amanda Lay, Jessica Lay, Joey Lay, Niam Ferris, and Aaron Ferris, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Donelson Funeral Chapel, 1070 W. Main St., Hillsboro, OR. Inurnment and Military Honors will take place at Osaga Cemetery, Fulton, Kan., later this year.