James Nelson Jay

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.