Rodney Leon Kay

Rodney L. Kay, 70 of Ripley, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Jackson General Hospital following a long illness.

He was born January15, 1952 in Ripley, son of Freda Hatcher Halstead. Rodney graduated from Ripley High School in 1969. Rodney joined the US Army (1969 to 1970) and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He served as a Ripley City Police Officer for a brief stint then rejoined the Army (1974to 1978). Rodney served with the rank of CW2 (Chief Warrant Officer) and was a Special Agent with the CID (Criminal Investigations Division) unit at Ft. Sill, OK. He lived in many states and countries including Alaska, Korea, and Oklahoma. Rodney earned his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Cameron University in Lawton, OK and his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Oklahoma City University. After he retired from the Army in 1995, Rodney returned to Ripley to enjoy his retirement with his family and friends.

He is survived by son, Jason (Amy) Kay of Ripley and Joe (Jennifer) Kay of Ravenswood; his mother Freda Halstead of Ripley; sisters Ruby (Donnie) Kerns of Ripley and Diane (Allen) Judy of Leon; grandchildren Brandon (Lauren) Kay of Cross Lanes, Joshua Kay of Ripley, Austin Kay of Ripley, Megan Kay of Ripley and Wright of Ravenswood and great grandchildren, Raya and Ryatt.

A time of visitation with the family will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley. At 7:00 pm the Jackson County Honor guard will provided Military Rites to honor his service to his country. Following the Military Rites there will be a time of food and fellowship with the family in the Parsons-Vail Family Center located inside the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com