Dallas Franklin Gay, Jr.

Dallas Franklin Gay Jr., 80, of Gainesville GA, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 21, 2022, while at his home and surrounded by family. Dallas was born on May 7, 1941, in Chamblee, GA and later moved with his family to the Gainesville area in 1973. Over the past 80 years, Dallas has loved his wife, reared and mentored his children, spent every moment possible with his grandchildren, and developed lifelong friendships. He has helped charities through guidance and fundraising, spearheaded new laws and protocols to help save lives within the opioid crisis, developed and led successful businesses, and never slowed his passion for knowledge and the pursuit to make a difference.

Dallas graduated from Chamblee High School in 1959 and continued his education by receiving a BBA in accounting from Emory University followed by an MBA in accounting and finance from Georgia State University. Dallas then went on to achieve a PhD ABD in Business Administration at Georgia State University.

Dallas began his business career in 1963 when he joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, & Co. and would shortly thereafter earn his CPA certification. After six years, Dallas felt a calling to teach others and joined the faculty of Georgia Tech as a professor of accounting and business. In 1974, he started a consulting business to assist financial institutions in mitigating computer security risks. In 1978, Dallas became the Senior Vice President and later President of American Proteins. He became a business owner in 1986 when he acquired Protein Products, Inc., which is still today operated by the family. In 1995, the family invested in Turneffe Island Lodge, a fishing and scuba diving resort located 30 miles off the coast of Belize. Dallas spent the next six years learning how to manage and build a successful resort business with many challenges due to the remote location and limited resources.

Dallas consistently supported, both financially and physically, many worthwhile causes throughout his life. During his son Chris Gay’s battle with Leukemia, Dallas and Bobbie, with widespread community support, orchestrated a “bike-a-thon” fundraiser for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital where Chris received treatment beginning at the age of 6. This event was held annually for five years and set records for St Jude’s private fundraising efforts. Dallas was a Life Trustee at the University of North Georgia in Gainesville, as well as co-founder and co-chair of “Think About It” and “Partnership for Drug Free Hall”. He was also a presenter for both the Attorney General’s “We Are Not Going to Take It” high school program, as well as the National Rx Drug Abuse Program. Dallas helped develop the opioid overdose training mission, “Three Steps to Save A Life”, and “Project Dan”, which educated 5,000 law enforcement officers to be first responders for opioid overdose.

Dallas received the Medical Association of Georgia’s “Donna Glass Non-Physician Distinguished Service Award”, the “Prevention Champion Award” from The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, the “Community Impact Award” from the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary Club’s “Man of The Year”. He served as a board member of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center and Elachee Nature Science Center. Dallas was a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church.

Dallas was passionate about fly fishing, hiking, travel, history, projects at the family’s mountain property, and most any outdoor adventures. Sharing these activities with his family has created a treasure chest of memories. Some of his favorite places were New Zealand, Scotland, Colorado, and his family retreat in Ellijay which he named “Silvertip”.

Dallas was preceded in death by his parents Dallas Franklin Gay Sr. and Vivian Cross Gay, his son Christopher David Gay, and his grandson Jeffrey Dallas Gay Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Barbara Partin Gay and his two sons: Jeffrey Dallas Gay Sr. (Cindy) and Thomas William Gay Sr. (Dana) and four grandchildren: Chris Gay, Molly Gay, Katie Gay, and Thomas Gay Jr. Dallas is also survived by his beloved sister, Joann Daniel of Dawsonville.

A memorial service will be held at the Gainesville First United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 27th at 2:00pm with a visitation immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Dallas’ life can be made to J’s Place Recovery Center, Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and Gainesville First United Methodist Church. 

Dallas' memorial service will be live-streamed at www.gfumc.com/memorialservices.