Jason Eric Kay

Kay Jason Eric Kay, 45, Longmont artist, is finally resting after battling ALS for the last three years. He passed away in his home in Longmont, Colorado on August 16, 2016 with his friends, Brian McBride and Stephen Deaton by his bedside. Jason grew up in Reynoldsburg, Ohio and upon graduating from its supremely suburban high school in 1989, couldn't leave Central Ohio fast enough. He moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to zip through his degree from the Art Institute. Like many young men he believed he was in love with money, but his time as a bicycle messenger on the hilly streets of the Steel City reminded him of what his true passion was - direct competition. Every day at that job gave him an opportunity to top his co-workers, which led to his love affair with endurance sports. Over his lifetime he competed in dozens of duathlons, marathons, and even a few super marathons. His childhood summers with Chuck Doran at Blacklick Golf course gave Jason a lifelong love for that game and real taste for the controlled mental competition that drives all golfers. He found that endurance sports offered the same opportunity to line up next to someone, and several hours later look them in the eye with a smile after beating them. This gloating was much less controlled with friends and family of all ages, who were victims of his high-volume, gyrating antagonism at the end of any game he won - especially card games. Jason moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he lived for five years, and allowed him to witness the '96 Olympics up close, and also allowed him to indulge in what makes Atlanta the "Magic City". His obsession with the city grew thin, and with his girlfriend moved to Colorado. They spent weeks traveling around the United States in a VW bus before settling outside of Boulder. They both were seeking an alternative to what Jason referred to as "the rat race" and the daily opportunity to hike, run, and ski suited them perfectly. No one embodied the phrase "working to live" more than Jason. He was a newspaper boy at twelve years old and held a slew of totally unrelated jobs from then on that ran the gamut; PGA club pro, glass pipe salesman, bus boy, mattress factory laborer, HVAC installer, interior designer, step daddy, valet, landlord, property manager, bike messenger, cook and freelance artist. With the money he earned from these jobs he traveled to Brazil, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Thailand (where he taught golf) and Singapore. He was never broke and learned how to save money from his grandfather, who preceded him in death, James E. Kay, Sr. of Dunbar, WV. Even as a child he never wanted a pet, but it turned out that an old dog taught him a new trick. For years, Jason took Sox, his insanely loyal and obedient greyhound, wherever he went until he died earlier this year. Jason is survived by his parents, John and Linda Kay of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; his brother, Justin and nephew Preston of Lake Worth, Florida; sisters, Johnna of Reynoldsburg, Ohio and Laura Caruthers and her son Sammy of Waco, Texas. In addition, Uncles, Aunts, cousins, and a slew of friends in Colorado, Florida, Ohio, and WV. Jason found his spiritual self over the last decade of his life in eastern meditation. Through this he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, and created art that expressed his deep concerns with the world. In his words, "I do exactly what I want every day of my life. What Could Be Better?" Memorial Service will be held at The Reynoldsburg Nazarene Church, at 6 p.m. on September 15, 2016, with visiting starting at 5:30 p.m. Please visit his website jasonekay.com to view his artwork. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the ALS association of Central Ohio. COTNER FUNERAL HOME, Reynoldsburg, Ohio is in charge of service and arrangements. Messages may be sent to his family by visiting www.cotnerfuneralhome.com.