James John Kaye, Jr.

James John Kaye, Jr. of Dothan, Alabama went to be with his heavenly father at his home surrounded by his family and friends on Sunday, July 23, 2017. He was 70.

A memorial service will be held 2 pm Friday, July 28, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ralph Sigler officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1-2 pm prior. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harvest Church Benevolent Fund, 2727 Fortner Street, Dothan, Al 36305.

James was born on August 21, 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and went to Brookfield Central High School. In 1966, after attending Southern Methodist University, James enlisted in the U.S. Army and graduated from Army Rotary Wing Flight School as a helicopter pilot. He served two tours (1967/1970) in Vietnam with the call sign “Dragon 30.” He was a flight instructor at Fort Rucker and also served in Operation Desert Shield. His many accomplishments include Commanding Officer of Medivac Unit Mobile Detachment; President of the Helicopter Pilots Association located in Daleville, Alabama; employment with Aerospatiale located in Grand Prairie, Texas, with duties as Senior Pilot Flight Department, Manager of Risk Management and Manager/Director of Human Resources. He retired from the Army after 24 years of loyal service. James loved fishing, camping and his church. He touched the lives of many people with his smile, love for others, genuine sincerity and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. As a devoted member of Harvest Church, he spent much of his time involved with the youth activities.

James was one of four children born to parents James John and Gennell Calef Kaye of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard (Dick) Alan Kaye and Gerald (Jerry) Kaye.

James will forever be remembered by his devoted wife of 48 years, Zona Gail Marchman Kaye; beloved children, James John and Rebekah Kaye of Dothan, AL; Aimee Michele Kaye, Pensacola, FL; and Jeffrey Alan and Stacey Howard-Stringer, New Windsor, NY. He is also survived by four grandchildren that loved him dearly; Sage Jovian Anderson, Lea Joy Kaye, Onna Michelle Kaye and Zachary Stringer. James has one surviving sister, Sandra (Sandy) Leouise Crowley and her partner Andy Rodriguez of Rockford, IL and several nieces and nephews around the country.