John F. Kay Jr.

John Franklin Kay, Jr., died on August 13, 2014 at the age of 84 after a brief illness. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia and was the son of John Franklin Kay and Mildred Foster Kay. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sarah Smith Kay and his children Sarah D. Kay, John F. Kay III, Elizabeth K. Dunn and her husband James G. Dunn and two grandchildren, James G. Dunn, Jr. and Sarah A. Dunn, all of Richmond. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Frances Kay Brinkley.

Mr. Kay was a graduate of Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia and Washington and Lee University and its School of Law. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Order of the Coif, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity, Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, the Sigma Society and was editor of the Law Review. During the Korean War, Mr. Kay served in the United States Marine Corps in Korea and was discharged as a Captain. After his service, he returned to Washington and Lee University to complete his legal education. After practicing law in Waynesboro, Virginia, for two years, in 1957 he joined the law firm of Denny, Valentine and Davenport, (later Mays and Valentine) in Richmond where he practiced until his retirement. (Mays and Valentine later merged into Troutman Sanders)

Mr. Kay served as President of the Virginia Bar Association, President of The Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, President of the Washington and Lee Law School Association, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Collegiate Schools, President of the Richmond First Club, and a member of the Richmond Personnel Board. He was a Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers and of The American Bar Foundation, a Charter Fellow of The Virginia Bar Foundation, a member of The National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Mr. Kay was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Richmond where he served as an Elder and Trustee.

He loved the mountains, valleys and waters of his native West Virginia. He and Sarah enjoyed the time they spent together with family at their home in Lewisburg. He especially loved his afternoon walks and naps with his four-legged friend Annie.

The family would like to thank Dr. Walter C. Hendrix and the medical staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for the excellent care that was given.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the many he mentored during his lifetime.

The Family will receive friends Sunday, August 17, 2014 from 4-6PM at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd, Richmond, VA.

A Memorial service will be held Monday, August 18, 2014 at 2PM at the First Presbyterian Church, 4602 Cary Street Road, Richmond, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial donation be made to Fishburne Military School, 225 South Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia 24450, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.