Dr. John D Lay, Sr. passed away on May 17, 2023. He was an avid Walking Horse owner, breeder, exhibitor and supporter. He was started in the business by his daddy when he was three and he sold his last horse just this January. 

His first Celebration was when he was 11 and he attended all of them except one, when he served his country in the Korean War. He held a box in the K section for many years. His show horses were too many to remember, but most were trained by Donald Shubert and Bobby Adkisson of Savannah, Tennessee. Dr. Lay also played a role in putting on the Savannah Lions Club show for many years. He rode until the second hip break and Jane, his wife, of over 66 years made him stop. He continued to go to the barn and watch the horses being trained. One of his joys was watching his grandchildren show his horses throughout the years. 

Family visitation will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 4-6 PM and Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 1-2 PM with a memorial to follow at the First United Methodist Church, 270 Main St. in Savannah, Tennessee.