Charles Barry Lay

Charles Barry Lay, 85, of Tucson, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, after a long illness. He was born October 11, 1939, to Martha Alice and Thomas Byron Lay, Sr., in Houston, Texas.

The family moved to Douglas, Arizona, in 1946. Barry attended Douglas schools and graduated from Douglas High School in 1958, where he was Senior Class President and Coronation Ball King. He was active in sports, playing football and baseball. He pitched for the Douglas High School Bulldogs. The team won the state baseball championship in 1958. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Business and Spanish. He went on to Thunderbird (a.k.a. American Institute for Foreign Trade) Graduate Management School, where he received an MBA, excelling in Business, Spanish and Portuguese.

He returned to Douglas, where he worked for the Department of Economic Security Office, coordinating the Summer Youth Employment Program for Cochise County. Realizing an opportunity as a customs broker, he opened an office in Douglas, later expanding to 12 more offices along the border, from San Diego to El Paso. When he retired, he moved to Tucson, where he lived until his passing.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Byron (Pancho) Lay. His is survived by former wife, Barbara Ann (Bunny) Lay Garrett; their daughters, Brittney Ann Lay Clark, Rebecca Susan Lay Redman; former wife, Anne Taylor Lay; their daughters, Susan Lay Williams, Cynthia Lay Lindbloom; their son, Barry Lee Taylor; and former wife, Alma Garcia; her daughters, Almita Teran Murillo, Maribel Teran Fasel; and her son, Jose Teran Garcia. He is also survived by his brother, William Harold Lay (Cheryl); sisters, Deborah Lay Hilcove and Amanda Lay Brenden (Lloyd), as well as grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Barry requested there be no funeral or memorial service; instead, he is remembered lovingly by family and friends.