Biography: Ellery Clarke Gay, Jr.., M.D., F.A.C.S., 80, a prominent Little Rock otolaryngologist and cosmetic surgeon for over 34 years, died Sunday, March 14, 2010. Born in Little Rock to the late “Lal” Hinson Gay and Ellery Gay, Sr., M.D., Dr. Gay, Jr., graduated with honors from Little Rock Central High in 1947, received his B.A. from Princeton University in 1951 and his M.D. from Tulane University in 1955. Dr. Gay completed his medical internship in 1956 at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, TX, and then served two years in the Air Force at LRAFB. He was honorably discharged from the medical corps at the rank of Captain. Specializing in otolaryngology, Dr. Gay completed his residency at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Gay was certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons, specializing in both cosmetic and plastic surgery, and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He held medical staff appointments at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, 1958-2002, the Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock, 1961-2003, and St. Vincent Health System, 1967-2004. Dr. Gay was also an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, delivering papers and leading workshops. The auricular repositioning otoplasty technique he developed was published in The Laryngoscope in March, 1974, and circulated widely around the world. An active member of the Pulaski County Medical Society, Dr. Gay worked closely with Cal Ledbetter, a member of the Arkansas State Legislature Health Committee, to pioneer authorizing the establishment of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in 1972. In 1974 he joined with two of his friends, Dr. Ted Bailey and Dr. Jim Pappas, to create an ASC in a large clinic of five otolaryngologists in the new Baptist Medical Towers Building. In 1982, he opened his own outpatient surgery facility, the Cosmetic Facial Surgery Clinic. He continued to practice until December, 2002. Dr. Gay served 15 years on the Board of the Wildwood Park for the Arts. An avid fan of opera music, he supported bringing talented opera singers to Arkansas as well as developing talent locally. He also loved tennis and spending time with his family. Dr. Gay is survived by his wife, Barbara Gay; four children, Pamela Grove of North Richland Hills, TX, Clarke Gay, III, and wife Cindy of Chapel Hill, NC, Marca Gay of Los Angeles, CA, and Nathan Gay, Sr., and wife Debbie of Little Rock; his brother Robert Gay and wife JoAnn of Iuka, MS; nine grandchildren including Adrian Grove of Irving, TX, Muriel Grove of North Richland Hills, TX, Matthew Gay, Meghan Gay, and Michelle Gay of Chapel Hill, NC, Isaac Franco of Los Angeles, CA, and Taylor Gay, Nathan Gay, Jr., and Barrett Gay of Little Rock. Dr. Gay was predeceased by his wife of 37 years, Doris Overton Carré Gay, who died 20 years ago in October. There will be a visitation Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, followed by a memorial service Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Victor Nixon. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following community organizations: Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Music Foundation [phumc.com], Arkansas Children’s Hospital Burn Center [www.archildrens.org/medical_services/inpatient/burn_center.asp], Wildwood Park for the Arts [wildwoodpark.org/about-wildwood/], or Hospice Home Care Foundation [http://www.hospicehomecare.net/donate.asp].