Feb. 12, 1927--Sept. 23, 2014
He was born in McCook, Nebraska, and graduated from McCook High School. He married Patricia Lou Larson on June 21, 1947, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. They celebrated 61 years of marriage. He was educated at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (B.S., 1949, J.D. 1952) and served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was an Eagle Scout, in Troop 147, McCook.
He was admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1952, and practiced law in Omaha (1952-1953) and North Platte for 53 years (1954-2007). He moved to North Platte in 1954 to practice with the Maupin & Dent law firm. In 1981, he and his son established Kay & Kay, Attorneys at Law. His trial work was in Nebraska county and district courts as well as in federal court. He argued cases in the Nebraska Court of Appeals, the Nebraska Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. His practice included representation of Nebraska school districts, insurance companies, Union Pacific Railroad Company, and many other corporations and individuals. Notable landmark cases include Nebraska Press Association vs. Stuart and Cleo R. Herrera, Special Administrator of the Estate of Jo Ann Yellowbird, Deceased, vs. Clifford Valentine, et al.
He was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers (1979); President (1999-2001), Lifetime board member, and Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation; President, Defense Counsel of Nebraska (1970); President, North Platte Chamber of Commerce (1968); President, North Platte Board of Education (1961); and President, Lincoln County Bar Association (1956).
He was active in the establishment of North Platte Junior College, Mid-Plains Vocational Technical School and Nebraskaland Days. He was a trustee of the University of Nebraska Foundation and a 70-year member of the American Legion. He served as judge advocate for the American Legion, Department of Nebraska, and P.R. Halligan Post 163. He was a member of Voiture 1068 of Forty and Eight and served as senior warden, junior warden and member of the vestry at Episcopal Church of Our Savior. He also served as church advocate for the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska. and was a member of the Executive Board, Tri-Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America and honorary life Member of the PTA.
He is survived by his son, Stephen (Jean) of North Platte, and daughters, Susan Jasnoch (Roger) of Kearney and Sara Kay Walbridge (James) of Lincoln; grandchildren, Melissa Miller (Patrick) of Oceanside, California, Stephen Kay II of North Platte, Robert Kay of Los Angeles, California, Scott Jasnoch of Kearney, and Matthew Wallace Ludwig of Lincoln; great grandchild, Eleanor Miller; and granddogs, Bailey and Booker. Additional survivors are his sister, Carolyn Roberts of Highland Park, Illinois; brother-in-law, John Larson (Sharol) of Midlothian, Virginia; sister-in-law, Naomi Larson of Phoenix, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by wife, Patricia Lou; parents, Elmer and Audrey (Wallace); sister, Shirley A. Williams; infant son, Kevin Robert; and special family dog, Silky. The family wishes to thank the staff and his friends at The Landing in Lincoln for making his last four years of life so enjoyable. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept.30, 2014, at Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte with the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey S. F. Nelson officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Burial with military honors will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014. Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday and from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Online condolences may be shared atwww.carpentermemorial.com. Memorials are suggested to Episcopal Church of Our Savior, the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and The Landing Scholarship Program. Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte is in charge of arrangements.