Blaine J Kay

Blaine J Kay, age 89, passed away December 16, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born to Floyd and Vera Kay July 13, 1927 at home on their family farm in Santaquin, Utah. After Blaine graduated from high school he served in the US Navy during WWII on the aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and went on to Utah State University in Logan, UT to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.  

While attending college he met his wife, Marilyn Mitchell, at a dance in the Persiana Dance Hall in Preston, Idaho in the spring of 1948.  They were married later that same year on December 29th in the Logan LDS Temple.

After Blaine received his civil engineering degree he began his 35 year career with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) in 1952. Much of his career was dedicated to helping plan and build the Interstate Highway System in Utah. Colleagues said that Blaine knew the entire stretch of Utah's highways by heart and could explain the reason for every twist and turn in the road. He served as the Director of UDOT from 1973 to 1978 for Governor Rampton. He finished out the remainder of his career as District 2 Director.

Blaine was well loved and respected by friends, coworkers and family. Whether volunteering with the Boy Scouts or at the LDS temple, he was generous and consistently of service to others. Blaine was an outdoorsman, enjoying family camping trips, hunting with friends and family, and fishing with grandchildren. He spent many hours in his garden, growing an abundant harvest that he loved to share with others. Grandchildren have fond memories of picking cherries and strawberries and snapping green beans in the back yard. Sunday dinners often found friends and family around the table, nobody would ever go without a warm meal under Blaine's watch. An avid craftsman from childhood on, he built by hand many of the tables, chairs, bookshelves, desks, cradles and dollhouses that furnished his and his family's homes. Blaine was a gentleman, even as his physical strength declined with age, he was always sure to open doors for his wife whom he loved dearly and referred to as his "Sweetie."

Blaine is loved and missed by his family. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Marilyn, children Dennis of St. George UT, Diane (Gust) of St. George UT, Duane (Jennifer) of Houston TX, and Douglas of Phoenix AZ; his brother Richard (Noreen) of Lacy WA; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be on January 7th at the 20th Ward (102 E. 1400 S.) in Bountiful, UT.  Viewing will begin at 11:30 and services at 1:00. The dedication of the grave will be the Bountiful City Cemetery (2224 S. 200 W.) following services at the ward.

Flowers for the service may be sent to Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful UT (801-295-5505) no later than 4:00 pm, January 6, 2016.