Nathan Wayne Lay, 62, went to be with the Lord on January 7, 2025 at his residence with his loving wife by his side. He was born January 18, 1962 to Shirley and Robert Lay in Los Angeles, California. Two other children Tony and Gayla were also added to the family. The Lay family’s Christian ministry took them to Georgia, Texas,Tennessee, Louisiana, and Prescott, Arizona.
As a boy Nathan was already a talented singer. He sang during numerous church services, worshiping the Lord with his exceptional tenor voice. As an adult he sang gospel songs and other worship music in numerous quartets. The Lay family sang together in church for many years. He recorded his own CD Hope Street in 2011.
In adulthood Nathan was bi-vocational. His grasp of math and physics steered his college plans and led him to work as a design engineer for Boeing Corporation in Seattle, Washington. He not only worked on design plans for commercial airlines, but military ones as well. Later in life he worked for Raytheon Missiles and Defense in Tucson, and Special Devices, a maker of detonators for airbags, in Mesa, Arizona.
Nathan’s Christian ministry was the driving force of his life. he assisted Pastor Robert Allen in Kirkland, Washington and also held the position of Washington District Youth President. Later, Brother Lay pastored in Bald Knob, Ak., formerly pastored by L.G. Oakes. His last pastoral poition was in Chandler, Az., formerly pastored by John Kincheloe. Declining health due to his years long battle with cancer forced Pastor Lay to retire in May of 2023, much to his sorrow.
Brother Lay is survived by his wife Stephanie. Nathan was preceded in death by his first wife Karen. Together they had three children, Brittany McMurray (spouse Donnie), Courtney Moncrief (spouse Troy), and Demeri Barnes (spouse Joseph). He is survived by numerous grandchildren as well.
A funeral service and internment took place Tuesday, January 14.
Arrangements cared for by Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 7900 E. Main Street in Mesa.
