Leon Kay

Leonard "Leon" Kay, age 75, of Shelby, took his last flight on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 in Laguna Woods, California.  Leon was born February 16, 1944 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to James "Leonard" Kay and Pearl L. "Philput" Kay.

Leon was a graduate of Shelby High School.  He attended Muskegon Community College and later took additional courses in computer, business and finance.  Leon married Cheryl (Hughey) on June 4, 1965.   He was a bus driver for Shelby Public Schools for several years and coached tee-ball in Shelby.   He was employed at Howmet Corporation for 44 years before his retirement.

Leon was a long-time airplane pilot and enjoyed flying his Cessna 182.  He earned his pilot's license in 1978, training under local instructor Ernie Reimer and later, he achieved his instrument rating. In recent years he especially enjoyed giving three hundred and thirty local children flying experiences at the Oceana County Airport with the EAA Young Eagles Program. 

He was a member of the Benona-Wigton Masonic Lodge.  He was also a member of U.A.W. 1243 serving as vice president and in-plant chairman.  He had been a member of the Board of Directors of HarborLight Credit Union since 1982 and the Shelby Public Schools Board of Directors since 1994. He also served as president of the Oceana County Airport Pilots Association.  He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association since 1984, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association since 1979 and the Ludington Pilots Association.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his sons, James Leon Kay (Kimberley Lakes) of Irvine, California and Eric Richard Kay (Brooke Maurice) of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Emma Lakes Kay, Micah Lakes Kay and Elijah Lakes Kay of Irvine; his sisters,  Linda Brooks Petro of Whiting, Indiana and Sharon (Louis) Robbins of Rothbury; brother, Terry Richard (Ellen) Kay of Rockford, Illinois; aunt, Mary Jane McAlee of Imboden, Arkansas; uncle and aunt, John and Zella Simmons of Shelby; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded death by his parents, his sister, Nellie Mae Crossno, and brother, Bobby (Janice) Kay. 

Visitation is Friday, April 12th, 7-9 pm at Harris Funeral Home in Shelby.  The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 13th, 11 am at the funeral home with Pastor Anne Riegler officiating.  A luncheon will follow.  Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Shelby.    Memorials may be directed to Crystal Valley Care Fund, P.O. Box 451, Hart, MI  49420 or Shelby Roars, c/o Bohemian Boutique, 179 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, MI  49455.

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