James Nelson Jay
December 3, 1929 ~ July 24, 2014
James Nelson Jay, 84, Mooresville, died July 24, 2014. Mr. Jay was born December 3, 1929, in Marion County, to the late James Nelson and Edith (Waggaman) Jay.
Nelson graduated from Decatur Central High School, earned his degree from Purdue University and Master’s from Butler University. He taught school at Van Buren and Sheridan for eight years before beginning a 27 year career with the Elanco Division of Eli Lilly. Nelson retired in 1987 as the Market Research Manager. Always a leader in his community, Nelson served 8 years on the Decatur Township School Board; 2 terms as President.He was a lifelong member of Valley Mills Friends Meeting. Nelson was a family man who believed strongly in encouraging and educating his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by a loving family and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer (Jay) Funcheon.
Survivors include his wife, Kathleen (Anders) Jay, to whom he was united in marriage December 23, 1951; sons, Jeffrey Jay (Brenda), Gregory Jay (Jill), James Ralph Jay (Marsha), and David Jay (Lisa), all of Plainfield; sister, Suzanne Keel (Robert) of Colorado; thirteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren.
Friends and family will gather to honor and celebrate Nelson’s life on Sunday, July 27, 2014, 1 to 5 p.m., in the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, July 28, 2014, in the Valley Mills Friends Meeting, 6739 West Thompson Road, Indianapolis. Burial will be in West Newton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Indiana Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory, view Nelson’s Life Story video, or sign the online guest registry.
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Sorry for your loss….he will be greatly missed…I cared alot about Nelson and the whole family…you are all in my prayer’s…God Bless You All.
Jo-Jo – I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your Dad. I lost my ‘Dadio’ 5 years ago and while I thought I was ready for it , I really was not. I know how you feel right now, and believe me, it is strange to have so many emotions flowing at the same time. Eventually, you will only had the sweet and funny memories remaining, not the hard ones of the recent past. I love you, and really do feel your pain. It will hit you at weird times, strange moments, but to have a good Dad is a gift. And you did. And you are doing so much by modeling your response to all of this for you own boys. Keep on keeping on…xoxo – Di
Nelson was my first boss in Elanco in 1971. A good man.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Julie Siegel Redman
I appreciated working closely with Nelson during his entire career with Elanco. A good man who was dedicated to his job
I have many great memories of growing up with the Jay clan – with Nelson and Kathleen at the helm. I am so sorry for your loss. Lynn Guthrie Baumgardner
I remember nellson as a verty fair , copetent and nice person to work for. He was my ‘boss’ when I was manager of Animal Products market research. I appreciate the oportunity wo wkork with him and know him as a friend. Jack Fontana