James “Jim” Kay, age 79, passed away Monday, July 31, 2017 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  He was born in 1938 in Anderson, South Carolina to the late Lucious and Irene (Lewis) Kay.  Jim served his country in the United Stated Air Force for 20 years, retiring at Eglin Air Force Base, as a Staff Sergeant in 1976.  After retiring from the military, Jim continued to serve his local community with the U.S. Postal Service where he worked as a clerk and well-liked carrier at the Mary Esther Post Office, where he retired from after 25 years of service.  Jim was a resident of Shalimar, Florida for 41 years.  He truly loved the local area and the community.  He was an active member of the Elk’s Lodge and River Rats and was previously a long-time member of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the Harley Owners Group.  Jim is survived by and leaves his cherishing memories to his loving daughters Karen Wise (Greg) and Carmen Johnson (Ken); a son Mark Kay; a sister Peggy Pitts; and a grandson Tyler Smith. He is preceded in death by his loving daughter, Sandra Gail Kay, his grandson Jeffery Scott Culver, and his parents Lucious and Irene Kay.   Family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 pm Friday, August 4, 2017 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.  A celebration of Jim’s life will be 2:00 pm Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the funeral home. 

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