James Frank "Jim" Lay

   James Frank "jim" Lay passed away peacefully on april 16, 2013 in his son's home with family at his side following a long illness with Alzheimer's disease.  He was 79.

   He was born at home near Lewistown, Missouri on February 7, 1934 to James Frank "Buck" Lay and Mildred Elizabeth (Six) Lay.
   His father died prior to his birth and he was raised by his mother Mildred and stepfather Fred Papenhausen.

   Jim graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 1953 and joined the US Navy where he served on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt as an Aviation Electronics Technician Airman.

   Jim worked primarily in the defense industry after he left the Navy including work on the Titan II ICBM program and many other military aircraft programs.

   He worked at Aerojet general, Boeing Military, Kreonite, USD 259/Wichita, L&S Aerodyne/Machine and Winding Specialists.

   Jim married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn "Kay" cox in 1954 and was a devoted and loving husband to her for 54 years, separated only by her death in 2008.

   Jim and Kay spent every minute together possible and were well-known to their friends and acquaintances as inseparable.

   He cared for his wife through her battle with cancer, steadfast by her side and she passed in their home with Jim comforting and holding her.

    Jim will be especially remembered for his independent character, his strong values and unswerving devotion to his family.

   Survivors include his sons, Daniel Lay (Rae Lynne) of Des Moines, Iowa and James Lay, Jr. (Jeanette) of Valley Springs, brother Henry Papenhausen of Yucaira and sister Pamela Cunningham of Phoenix, Arizona.

   Jim also leaves grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  His wife Kay preceded him in death in 2008 as did his brother Fred and two sisters,  Betty and Rosalie.

   Services will be held at 11 AM Saturday, April 27, 2013 at San Andreas Memorial chapel in San Andreas.