James KAY Jr.

KAY, James Jr. age 97, loving husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather, passed away peacefully of natural causes in Tucson on February 1, 2018. Jim was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on November 30, 1920 and came to the U.S. as a young child with his parents, James and Annie Kay. He grew up in Akron, Ohio where he graduated from the University of Akron and met his future wife, Betty. Jim served as a Commander in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. Upon his return home, he married Betty, and moved to a small adobe house in the rural desert outside Scottsdale, AZ. Jim served again in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war and later earned a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Denver. Jim chose a career in public service as Finance Director for the California cities of Manhattan Beach and West Covina. In 1967, he took the position of Director of Finance for the City of Tucson. Jim held this position for over 20 years during a time of phenomenal growth for the City until his retirement. Jim remained in the U.S. Navy Reserves and retired as Captain. Jim, like his father, was proud to be a life-long Mason. Jim and Betty were married for 67 years until her peaceful passing in 2013. Jim is survived by his brother, John Kay (Shirley) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; children, Deborah Kay of Norman, Oklahoma, James H. Kay (BJ) of Tucson; grandchildren, Sean Ashby of Norman, Gwynne Ashby (Aaron) of Dallas, Nicholas Kay, Capt. U.S. Army (Heather) and great-granddaughter, Emma Kay of Tucson. Per Jim's request, no public service will be held; there will be a private family gathering at a future date.