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Jay E. Near, 79, died Thursday, January 26, 2017 at his home in Garden City. He was born November 16, 1937 in Lakin, Kansas the son of Lawrence Everett & Clara A. (Mausolf) Near.
Jay lived in various places throughout the United States as a child. He moved with his family to Holcomb when he was in high school and has lived in the Garden City area since. He graduated from Holcomb High School in 1955, and later graduated from Garden City Community College earning his EMS certification, EMICT, and becoming a Registered Nurse. Jay worked for 23 years as an auto body mechanic at both Milhon Motors and Burtis Motors. After becoming an EMT, Jay worked for Finney County EMS. He later started working in nursing at St. Catherine Hospital. In 2001, he retired from the Finney County EMS and became a full time Registered Nurse at the ER at St. Catherine’s. He then retired from St. Catherine Hospital in 2009. Jay was a member of the English Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Pat Pirelli Horse Training Association, and the Clinton Anderson Horse Training Association. Jay enjoyed his horses, golfing, music, playing the guitar and steel guitar, his dogs, gardening, his rose garden, camping, vacations, and studying western history.
On February 2, 1957, he married Sue Hankins in Raton, New Mexico. She survives. Other survivors include three sons Steve (Carol) Near, Mitchell (Judy) Near, and Curtis (Veronica) Near all of Garden City; Daughter-In-Law Stacie Near of Garden City; 7 Grandchildren; and 13 Great-Grandchildren. Jay is preceded in death by his parents; a son Scott Near; and a Granddaughter Savannah Near.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2017 at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City with services being conducted by the English Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. to service time on Monday all at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family request memorials given to the Heartland Cancer Center or to the Finney County Humane Society both in care of the funeral home.