Jay Riley Vest, 91, of Keokuk, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at his home in Keokuk.
Jay was born on October 21, 1932, in a farmhouse near Salem, Iowa, the son of Jay Douglas and Pearlie (McKim) Vest. On July 17, 1954, he was united in marriage to Loa Spessard in Ainsworth, Iowa. She survives.
Jay graduated from North English High School in 1950, attended Iowa State Teacher’s College, and received his BA from Iowa Wesleyan University in 1957. He went on to receive his MA at Western Illinois University in Macomb in 1965. Jay started his working career at Dexter Corporation in Fairfield, Iowa, and went on to work in education as a teacher and principal for forty years, thirty-seven years of which were spent in the Keokuk School District, and the remainder at Agency and Keosauqua. He retired in 1994. Jay was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk and the Keokuk Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed spending his free time reading, golfing, and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Cubs. He also enjoyed traveling and spent fifteen years “snowbirding” with the Tuttles and Kerstens. For many years he could be found most mornings at HyVee drinking coffee with his friends.
Jay is survived by his wife Loa Vest of Keokuk; two daughters: Cynthia “Cindy” (Jerry) Ruffcorn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Melanie Baker of Anna, Texas; six grandchildren: Ryan (Kara) Ruffcorn, Amanda (Shane) Rairden, Lyndy (Shawn) Roost, Caitlin (John) Kolosick, Brandi (Trey) Stolp and McKenzie (Bryon) Manning; fifteen great-grandchildren; and his sister Joan Nelson of Lakewood, Colorado.
Jay is preceded in death by his parents, his infant son Steven and his sister Glenneva Peebler.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 12 pm (noon) to 2 pm at Printy Funeral Home, 917 Blondeau Street, Keokuk, Iowa, 52632. A private family burial will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Keokuk.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk or the American Cancer Society.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.
