Jim passed away Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 7:50PM at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence after a long 2 years of surgeries and complications. He was in the hospital since July 5th for minor surgery but had other complications and one thing lead to another. He was so bad and he suffered so much we just couldn’t let him suffer anymore.

Jim touched everyone he met with his dry witty, humor and laughter. He was very mathematical; he could solve any math problem. He was an avid organizer in many ways, keeping records of everything on paper. He kept records of trips, gatherings, daily activities, filed every receipt or bill ever paid from 1955 until he took ill. He then taught his wife Jill. She would never be able to come close to do the filing as well as Jim. He could look up everything and be right on it. He solved a lot of arguments.

Jim was born March 6, 1936 to Raliegh (Doc) Nay & Pauline (Houghtaling) Nay Avery in Battle Creek. He went to Battle Creek Academy until the 11th grade, and then graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1955. He married Jill (Slack) Nay on February 10, 1955. Jim was employed at Clark Equipment for 31 years until the company relocated from Battle Creek. Jim loved to fish, hunt, golf and played outfield on the Clark Equipment Softball Team. He only bowled because of his family.

He is survived by his wife Jill (Slack) Nay of 57 years; children, Jeff Nay of Fulton, Julie Nay of Battle Creek, James Nay of Kalamazoo; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren who are very close to his heart and very proud of all of them; brothers, Jack (Gerry) Nay of Battle Creek and Joe (Claudia) Nay of Valparaiso, IN. He was preceded in death by parents, stepfather, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, many aunts, uncles, sister, Joan at 4 years old, nephews, and cousins. We are a very close knit family. Jim will be missed so so very much.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Jim’s life on September 22, 2012 from 2PM-6PM at his residence. Thoughts to all who loved him and took care of him. - Jill

Friends may send condolences or share a memory at baxterfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. (269)788-9800

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