Jay Hartley Stearns

STEARNS, Jay Hartley, born in West Lafayette, Indiana on November 2, 1948, died peacefully at his home in Richmond, Va. on December 11, 2021; his loving family surrounded him. Despite his long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease, he remained positive and always had his sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Hope Hartley Stearns; father, Forest Walden Stearns; sister, Andrea Brook Stearns; and brother, Timothy F. Stearns. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathryn A. Hayfield; sister, Carlin A. Hibbard (Steve Raith); children, Krista M. Stearns (Lewis Lankford), Adrienne E. Stearns and Jeremy D. Frye (Alice Venale Frye); most loved granddaughters, Bailey B. Lankford, Flannery M. Lankford, Melania A. Frye and Emma N. Frye; in-laws, George Hayfield, Jeff and Jean Hayfield and Herbert Ramsey; cherished cousins and especially Jim Stearns; nieces, nephews; and committed friends, Judy Hill and Dan Welch.

Jay graduated from Rhinelander High School in Rhinelander, Wis. He was a 1970 graduate of the University of Wis. at Eau Claire with a degree in Political Science, leading to a lifetime love of analyzing politics and history. He was a born teacher with his career starting as a history teacher in Wanamingo, Minn. He spent the greater part of his work life in Virginia and in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation and specifically, Leadership Training for managers in that field. He was dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities received equitable treatment and had the tools they needed to effectively perform their jobs. He worked primarily across five states in the Mid-Atlantic area and developed many strong professional relationships. In 2002, Jay and his wife, Kathy, bought and operated a campground, cabins and white water tubing business in Bryson City, N.C. Working in the Great Smoky Mountains along beautiful Deep Creek was a wonderful and life-changing experience, where he was able to put his business skills to use and enjoy living on water in a gorgeous part of the country.

Jay's friends and family remember him for his love of nature and especially fishing and canoeing, for his dry sense of humor, his passion for music, his keen knowledge of many subjects and his intimate and warm communication style.

A small group gathered for a funeral at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter in Richmond, Va. Family and friends will join for a Celebration of Life in the springtime.

Memorial contributions may be made to Feedmore of Central Virginia, feedmore.org/give/ or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, michaeljfox.org/.