Jack L. Kay

Jack L. “Pappason” Kay, 77, of Keokuk, passed away on November 21, 2020, at Genesis Health System in Davenport, Iowa.

Jack was born on July 3, 1943, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Henry and Flora (Young) Kay. On May 16, 1964, he was united in marriage to Sandy Ealey in Kahoka, Missouri. They were later divorced. He spent the rest of his life with his life-partner Karen Hampsmire for forty-two years. She survives.

Jack was employed by the City of Keokuk in sanitation before becoming the foreman of the sewer department. He worked for the city for twenty-nine years before retiring in 2002. Jack was an avid Nascar fan, always cheering for #3 Dale Earnhardt. He enjoyed mowing his lawn, gardening, and planting trees and bushes. In addition to his job at the city, Jack demolished houses and upcycled many of the items he found. Jack was a talented mechanic and worked on his own cars. He also spent time communicating on the CB radio. Jack will be remembered for his stubborn personality, his favorite spot on his porch swing, and his love for his family.

Jack is survived by his life-partner Karen Hampsmire of Keokuk, his son Larry Lee Kay of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; two daughters: Chris Ergle of Muscatine, Iowa, and Pam (Lloyd) McVay of Warsaw, Illinois; his step-daughter Chrissy (Chris) Dunham of Colorado Springs, Colorado; ten grandchildren: Regina, Kendall, Kelsey, Sandra, Devin, Jaci, Michael, Jay, Amiee and Amber; ten great-grandchildren: Neeyla, Kelsi, Rhyan, Lillyona, Julian, Rylee, Tristan, Killian, Greyson and Everett; his half-brother Doug (Debbie) Kay of Burlington, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Barbara Ann, and six siblings: Marie, Chet, Lawrence, Bill, Henry Jr., and Bob.

Jack’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 2 pm on Friday, November 27, 2020, at DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk, with burial to follow at Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation without the family present will be held on Friday from 11 am to 2 pm at the funeral home. Due to Covid-19 mandates, masks must be worn and social distancing must be practiced during the visitation and funeral service. Visitation will be limited to 15 people in the building at a time.

For those unable to attend, Jack’s funeral service will be streamed via Facebook Live at the DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home Facebook page.

Memorials may be directed to the family in care of Pam McVay.

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