Hall of Fame
Gay “Pungo” Flythe was born September 12, 1912 in rural Northhampton County aproximately 3 miles southwest of Conway, North Carolina. He was the seventh of eight children born to William Henry and Cornelia Bridgers Flythe. He attended Conway High School and received his high school diploma in May of 1933.
As a young boy, Flythe joined Zion Methodist Church in the Conway community. He was an active member his entire life. He served many positions in the church including Sunday School Superintendent. He was very interested in the youth of the church and was an active organizer of church athletic programs in the Conway area.
While in school at Conway, Flythe was a member of the boys basketball team from 1929 thru 1933. The team won the North Carolia Class A State Championship In 1931.
Flythe entered Chowan College in the fall of 1933. He was a member of the first football team and played tight end. He also played basketball and was the center on the 1933-34 Chowan team. Basketball was played on the stage of the college auditorium. In the spring of 1934, he was a pitcher/outfielder for the Chowan baseball team. Chowan played area high school ad college teams.
In 1935, Flythe entered N.C. State. While there, he was a member of the freshman basketball team.
In 1936, Flythe returned home and began farming. He had met his wife-to-be, Beatrice Martin, in May of 1933. On their first date he walked her home from church over a dusty, country road. Seven years later, on December 21, 1940, they were married at Creeksville Baptist Church.
Baseball and basketball continued to be an important part of his life. Flythe played for several area semi-pro teams.
