Kay Eugene Earhart of Los Angeles passed away peacefully on Feb. 3, 2024 of natural causes.
He was born Nov. 2, 1933, in Bluffton, son of Roland and Lucile Earhart. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia, and is survived by his daughters, Katharine and Elizabeth, and son, Charles, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two stepchildren, Brant and Brenna, and eight step-grand and step-great-grandchildren.
During high school, he participated in sports and was active in the Baptist Church and Boy Scouts. With the rank of Eagle Scout, he was selected as Senior Patrol Leader to lead 50 Anthony Wayne Council Boy Scouts at the 1950 World Boy Scout Jamboree held at Valley Forge Park, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bluffton High School in 1951, Miami University (Ohio) in 1955, and attended Southern Methodist University post graduate school. During college he was a member of the swim team and Alpha Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
He became a commissioned U.S. Navy Officer and earned his Aviator Wings of Gold in 1958. He served 22 years of Navy active duty worldwide service, and retired in 1978 with the rank of Commander. Upon retiring from the military, he worked in the aerospace industry for 10 years in the Los Angeles area. Upon his final retirement, he and his wife, Patricia, enjoyed extensive travel, entertaining family and friends, playing bridge, and attending church, where he was an usher. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, scuba diving and spent numerous hours restoring a classic 1947 MGTC. He was a life member of the VFW, Military Officers Association, and Lions International.
Private family services will be held later in the fall of 2024.
In lieu of flowers, tribute gifts for Kay Earhart may be made to: The American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515, macular.org, 1-888-622-8527.
Arrangements are entrusted with Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello, Indiana.
Family and friends are encouraged to share a memory or messages of condolence at springerfuneralhome.com.