Robert A. Jay

January 16, 1922 - October 20, 2014

Robert “Bob” Arthur Jay, 92, died October 20, 2014, at his daughter’s home in San Antonio, Texas. He was born January 16, 1922, at Lamar, Colo., the son of Robert H. and Adelle (Laverty) Jay. He graduated from Paonia High School, Paonia, Co and received his electrical engineering degree from Colorado State University in Boulder, CO. He worked for General Electric during WWII in Kokomo Indiana and Erie, PA. He then pastored Harmony Friends Church, Wessington springs, SD for 9 years. He moved his family to Haviland, KS in 1957 where he worked for Haviland Telephone Company until his retirement. He was active in Haviland Friends Church as a Sunday school leader and in the community with the Booster Club, City Council and served as interim mayor. After retirement he did several short term missions trips. He then spent many years as the care provider of his wife after she developed dementia, assisted first by his daughter Kathy in Newton, KS and then moving to San Antonio, TX to live in the home of his daughter, Connie. He was skilled with electronics building his own home computer long before home computers were available and helped many others by repair of their electronic devices. He was an avid chess player continuing to beat most games up to his last game played during his last week before his death. On Dec. 27, 1942, He married Thelma Allen at Center, Colo. She preceded him in death. Survivors include: four daughters, Carol (Jim) Scott, Midwest City, Okla., Rebecca (Foree Kirk) Bates, Salina, KS Katherine Jay, Newton, KS and Connie (Denny) Kalk, San Antonio, TX, daughter-in-law Judy Jay Hutchinson, KS; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David Jay; a brother, Leon Jay, and two sisters, Ruth Greer and Naomi Cobb. The family will greet friends from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt. Funeral service is at Haviland Friends Church, Haviland, KS Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Donnie Hinshaw officiating. Burial will be in Haviland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Barclay College in care of the mortuary.