James Louis Millay

James Louis Millay, Sr., 90, of Owensboro, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Western Kentucky Veterans Center. He was born in Birk City, Kentucky to the late Claude Richard and Clotilda Carrico Millay.

James was a WWII Army Air Corp veteran, having served in the Pacific Theater as part of the 860th Army Engineer Battalion. He was an active participant in the annual Army Engineer Battalion Reunions.

Upon his return from the military James began a career with the local Plastering and Stucco Union.
In 1957 he moved his family to South Florida where he introduced the locals to the Kentucky tradition of outdoor burgoo making. In 1963 the family returned to Owensboro and James operated Millay Brothers Plastering until 1969. At that point he started Millay Construction which he owned and operated until his retirement. He was a longtime member of First Christian Church where he served as a deacon and elder emeritus. His many activities at the church included serving as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #88 and building a large concrete chalice which survived the recent fire. James enjoyed gardening, woodworking, beekeeping and making sorghum. He and Alice enjoyed traveling, especially with Sonny and Shirley Clark, to popular destinations all over the United States. This traveling was commonly part of the trips to his annual Army reunions and often included camping.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Alice Pendleton Millay in 2006; a sister, Mary M. Bennett; and brothers, Richard, Ferman and Gilbert Millay.

James is survived by daughters, Linda Powe (Pat Barker) of Owensboro, Zenda Johnson of Owensboro and Judy Davis (Dan) of Ft. Branch, IN; sons, James L. Millay, Jr. (Ann Darmody) of Bowling Green, KY and Jeff A. Millay (Mary Jo) of Owensboro; 12 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; sister, Catherine Kuehle of Cape Girardeau, MO; brothers, Herbert and David Millay, both of Owensboro; a sister-in-law, Louise Spencer (Billy) of Owensboro; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at Noon on Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Dr. Tom Norvell will officiate. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Wednesday and after 10 AM on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church.

The family would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at the Western Kentucky Veterans Center. The care they provided to Mr. Millay was exceptional.