Michael Justin Kay
June 4, 1984 ~ October 14, 2024
Michael Justin Kay, “Mike”, 40, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on October 14, 2024, in Leonardtown, MD. Born on June 4, 1984, in Gainesville, FL, he was the son of Ronald Leonard Kay, Sr. of Lake City, FL and the late Shirley Diane Kay. Mike was the loving husband of Laura Kay, whom he married in Virginia Beach, VA on August 8, 2009. He is survived by his son, Archer Kay, of Leonardtown, MD, his siblings, Crystal Kay, of Jacksonville, FL and Mark Kay of Cottage Grove, MN, his half-siblings, Cindy Denmark and Ronald Kay, Jr., both of Lake City, FL, and his niece, Karyss Hunton, of Gainesville, FL. In addition to his mother, Mike was preceded in death by his half-brother, Christopher Kay.
Mike graduated from Bishop Kenny High School in 2002 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in 2015 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He served in the United States Navy for five years, during which time he was stationed at NAS Oceana. Mike moved to St. Mary’s County, MD from Virginia Beach, VA in 2009 and continued to work for the Department of the Navy as a civilian, most recently as Lead Assistant Program Manager for Test & Evaluation.
He enjoyed camping, hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, and, most of all, spending time with his family.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 5 :00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Olde Town Pub, Leonardtown, MD. Mike's YJ Jeep Wrangler will be parked near the entrance.
If you would like to bring a memento, framed picture, or stuffed animal to place inside or on the hood of the Jeep for Archer, it would be greatly appreciated and a special keepsake for him to remember his father by.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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God never made a more loyal and kind friend.
To the Kay family, particularly Laura and Archer: Please accept my heartfelt prayers, condolences, and sympathies during this most difficult time of loss. Mike was a tremendous asset when he worked with and for me and was destined for great things. He has been on my mind since I learned of his passing. I sincerely hope you can find a way around this tremendous loss. Your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything now or in the future. God bless you and keep you steadfast! Fair Winds and Following Seas, Mike!
I worked with Mike several years ago and many times the daily meeting was the highlight of my day. His kindness was palpable and he made everyone comfortable and welcome. My heart breaks for his family-thank you for sharing him with us.
Sharing in the loss of a special person. I had the opportunity to work with Mike for several years at Webster Field; Fire Scout Team. Mike was a great person to support and always a happy go lucky person. I remember the look on Mike’s face the day he told me he and Laura were going to have a baby… Many Pictures of his JEEP and Rock Climbing with it… LOL.
Sincerely,
Sandy Woomer
My heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences go out to the Kay Family in this most difficult of times. Laura & Archer: Please accept my sympathies for the loss of your Husband and Father. He was a good man and therefore I know he must have been a great husband and father. Having worked with Mike I can attest to the fact that he was smart and extremely skilled in our trade. He was surely destined for great things! I’m very sorry for your loss and I know that God will see you through the trying times ahead. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. May God bless and keep you. RIP Mike.
Our sincerest condolences to all of the Kay family on the loss of Mike. We had the privilege to know him as he was growing up as he and our son, Kevin were close friends during that time, as were Crystal and our daughter, Shannon. We lived in the same neighborhood as Ron and Diane, and the kids were inseparable. Mike will always be remembered as the wonderful person and loyal friend he was.
Ron, Judy, Kevin Lewis and Shannon Spalding
Consummate professional…great guy! Loved listening to stories of his quests and oddball adventures (lawnmower racing?! Really?!) He will be be sorely missed…
I met Mike in Virginia Beach. He was kind, funny and always up for adventure. We were all young kids, far from home. We became a little family. I have so many memories. Sending prayers and hugs to Laura and family.
Kila Greinert
I was fortunate to have worked with Mike years ago, but more importantly had the honor of being close friends. He possessed the character and values that are hard to find in everyday people. Always willing to lend a hand or offer help in any way, Mike truly cared about the people in his life. At the top of his list was Laura, and here recently little Mr. Archer. I will always remember how Mike spoke of her and how much he adored her, she was his world. When they had Archer, he became Mikes little sidekick and Mike became a wonderful, caring and loving father. I will never forget stopping by Mikes as he was cutting and welding a platform into the back of his lifted Jeep. When I asked what it was for, he said “Archer’s car seat, he’s coming on the trip this weekend to go wheeling!” He made sure the car seat fit securely and that it was going nowhere. I was amazed and admired the lengths he would go to bring Archer on all of his adventures. Mike and I would sit for hours in one of our driveways talking about life, work or whatever was going on, but the central theme for him was always anchored on the good of his family. They were his priority, they were his world, and I pray that as young Archer grows older, he will always know and be reminded that the love his dad had for him was immeasurable, and that Mike loves him more than anything and is so proud of him.
I had the luck to call Mike a best friend in my adolescent years. He had a kind heart and so much knowledge about the many things in life that interested him. Mike was a great influence on me. He was truly like an older brother to me. The Kay family raised a wonderful person that I know left a positive impact on all whose paths he crossed. Mike will be remembered fondly by all who had the good fortune to know him.
My family and I had the great fortune to live next door to Mike and Laura, and later Archer, for seven years. Although we moved out of state over a year ago, the Kay family has remained close to our hearts. While living next door, rarely did a day pass when I didn’t see Mike outside working on a Jeep, throwing a ball to his dogs, or playing with his son. He always had a warm smile and friendly wave to share and would drop anything he was doing to help a neighbor out. I will never forget the tenderness and empathy he showed when one of our dogs passed away and he found her on the side of the road. He brought her home to us and helped my son and I lay her to rest. Mike set a high bar for what a good neighbor can be!
Laura and Archer, my heart breaks for you. I hope that with time you can find peace and take comfort in the happy memories of your lives together.
With love,
Heather Maggard
Mike was a very intelligent, and motivated Team member who I thoroughly enjoyed working with. He always seemed to have the answer to any question I posed of him, big or small, and never seemed frustrated by my lack of knowledge or understanding. He was a good man who presented a calming nature, especially when it came to working through some of the tricky issues that were thrown his way.