James William Kay

James William Kay, 83, of Lutz, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Cumming, Georgia. Reunited in death with his loving wife, Ruth Ann (Kimbrough) Kay, his parents, Ralph Livingston Kay and Jaunita Ora (Ford) Kay, three older siblings, Dorothy Holland, Ralph Kay, and Roberta Shroyer.

Born October 27, 1940 in Tucson, AZ, Jim was an entrepreneur at heart starting his first of many companies (a shoe shine business) at the age of four followed by multiple paper routes. Later, he developed the Sweet Psalmist Lawn Care company in Lutz, FL, where he provided mentoring and apprenticeship positions to those in need.

He graduated from San Jose State College in 1967 with a BA in Business Management. Shortly before graduating, he felt the call to the ministry so he continued his education by earning a second BA in Bible and Pastoral Theology in 1970 from Bethany Bible College. It was at Bethany where he met and married the love of his life, Ruth Ann.

With a thirst for knowledge, he owned a vast library filled with rare first edition books. But his greatest study was of the Bible, memorizing it cover to cover. Many pastors and Bible scholars would come to him to discuss accuracy of their theology and studies before bringing it before the pulpit.

Jim was never one to sit idle and he never missed an opportunity to serve his community by visiting people in the hospital and singing and preaching in nursing homes. In his retirement, he remained a faithful member of Grace World Outreach Church and he authored his life’s work: Seeing His Days: A Treatise on the Seven One-Thousand Year Days of Redemption Based Upon the Complete Chronology of the Old Testament (2014). While still passionately following his calling of ministry, he maintained several positions in database programming and management at Lockheed, GTE Data Services, and others.

In the last year of his life, he was still a beacon of light to those who were caring for him. His caretakers knew him as “smiley” and would tell his family how sweet he was. He was a man of integrity, faithfully following the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was gentle in spirit, a man of honor and of his word.

He is survived by his children, daughter, Rhoda Kay of Golden, CO, son and daughter-in-law, John M. Kay and Tammi R. Kay of Clayton, GA, and daughter and son-in-law, Anna (Kay) McClintock and Matthew McClintock of Cumming, GA, his sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Gene Eflin of Springfield, MO, his brother, John B. Kay of Ozark, MO, his grandchildren: Stephen Lorenz, SrA. Leo James Lorenz and wife Chloe (Miles) Lorenz, Joshua Lorenz, Daniel Lorenz, Jessalyn Baldree, Lauren Lyons, Sydney Lyons, Paxton McClintock, Quinn McClintock, and Micah McClintock, as well as many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends who loved him dearly.

Two services will be held to honor Jim’s life: a funeral in Brooksville, FL on December 27th and a memorial service in Springfield, MO on January 9th. Details below.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Merritt Funeral Home, 2 S. Lemon Avenue, Brooksville, FL 34601

Viewing: 10:00am

Service: 12:00pm

Brooksville Cemetery, 1275 Olmes Road, Brooksville, FL 34601

Burial: 1:30pm

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Evangel Temple Church - 2020 E. Battlefield Rd. Springfield, MO 65804

Service: 7:00pm

A live webcast of the January 9, 2024 service will be provided for those who can not attend in person.

The family appreciates the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.