John Kuhs Soest

Soest, John Kuhs

May 7, 1938 - October 18, 2021. John "Jay" Kuhs Soest of Creve Coeur, MO, died peacefully with family by his side on October 18, 2021. He is survived by his two children and their spouses: Susan Soest Valoff and Scott Valoff of San Diego, CA, and Edward "Ted" Soest and Rhonda Soest of Wildwood, MO; his three grandchildren: Nicole Soest, Natalie Soest, and Peter Valoff; his sister-in-law Mary L. Humphreys of Fair Haven, NJ; his nieces Elizabeth Fichter of St. Louis and Charlotte Abbott of Brooklyn, NY; his great-niece and nephew; and many friends. Jay's wife Jan Humphreys Soest, sister Jan S. Boleto, brother Jerrold A. Soest, and cousin Nancy R. Kuhs preceded him in death. Jay spent many happy years with his longtime companion, Kay Ellin Smith, before her death in 2020.

Jay loved his hometown of St. Louis. Born in St. Louis in 1938 to John Schaefer Soest and Muriel Kuhs Soest (Mavrakos), Jay grew up in Spanish Lake on the bluffs of the Missouri River. Jay had many fond memories from his rural childhood, including eating breakfast with his grandfather who lived nearby, and taking the streetcar into Baden with his sister.

Jay graduated from Country Day School (MICDS) in 1956. An active alumnus, Jay hosted several MICDS class reunions at his family's property in North County. Jay graduated from Brown University in 1961 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a pitcher on the Brown baseball team. While on a road trip with his buddies from Brown to Smith College in Northampton, MA, Jay met his wife-to-be, Jan Humphreys, on a blind date.

Jan and Jay lived in Brooklyn, NY, as newlyweds. Jan and Jay moved back to St. Louis in 1966, settling first in Warson Woods and later in Creve Coeur. Jay was a single parent after Jan died in 1984. He played an active role in his children's lives, including supporting their educational and athletic endeavors.

Jay loved his work in financial services, starting with Chemical Bank in New York City. He helped many clients during his 32 years with Merrill Lynch in the downtown and Clayton offices, retiring as Vice President. An active member of the St. Louis community, Jay served as a deacon at Ladue Chapel

Jay was fortunate to have made "friends for life" with a number of his classmates and colleagues from Country Day, Merrill Lynch, and The Stuarts investment club, of which he was a member for 55 years. Jay treasured these friendships and the many happy times spent laughing, dining, skiing, "float-tripping," and playing "Indian Ball" together.

Jay was a man of many interests. An avid sportsman and sports fan, Jay was inducted into the MICDS Hall of Fame for basketball in 2006. Jay was a lifelong member of the Missouri Athletic Club. He enjoyed swimming, tennis, basketball, and softball. A longtime fan of the St. Louis Browns and the Cardinals, Jay was able to recall baseball stats with the best of them. Jay was also very interested in politics, history, gardening, and travel. A trip to Normandy, France, to see the D-Day beaches was a highlight for him. Jay was an avid concert- and theater-goer in St. Louis, regularly attending productions at the Muny, the Rep, Opera Theater, the Fox, and STAGES in Kirkwood.

Jay's later years spent enjoying his home and garden would not have been possible without the support of his care manager, Diane Smith, and her colleagues at The Next Step/Elder Assist, as well as his team of dedicated and compassionate caregivers. Jay's family is grateful that his final days were made comfortable with the help of the Evelyn's House/BJC Hospice team.

Services: A Funeral Service will be conducted at THE LUPTON CHAPEL, 7233 Delmar Blvd., University City, on Saturday, October 23 at 10:30 a.m. with a Visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Interment Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Memorials appreciated to the following organizations that were meaningful to Jay: Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS); STAGES St. Louis; or The Muny.

A SERVICE OF

THE LUPTON CHAPEL.