Ronald K. Kay

Ronald Keith "Obo" Kay, 58, of Cortland, died 12:20 PM Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown. He was born March 3, 1946 in Grove City, Pa., the son of the late Harry and Mary E. Davis Kay.

Mr. Kay was a 1965 graduate of Howland High School and had served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He had worked as a tow motor operator from General Motors in Lordstown, retiring in 1997 after 30 years of service.

Mr. Kay belonged to First Presbyterian Church of Warren; Cortland Masonic Lodge #529; the Ali Baba Grotto, where he was past monarch; the Ali Baba Clowns; the Assorted Nutz clown troupe, where he was known by the name "Obo". He was well known in the area for his clown work and his balloon artistry.

Mr. Kay had served previously with Boy Scout Troops 15 and 126, Little League, and the Howland Athletic Club. He enjoyed the Indians and Browns, and most of all his family and grandchildren.

Surviving Mr. Kay are his wife, Kathleen Meredith Kay, whom he married July 27, 1968; a son, Robert (Wendy) Kay of Toledo, Ohio; a daughter, Rebecca Smith and her fiance Alfred Rasmussen, both of Warsaw, Indiana; six grandchildren: Heather, Shannon, and Paul Smith III, Gillian Kay, and Elizabeth and Joshua Rasmussen; three sisters: Marilyn (Gary) Fritch of Champion, Cynthia (Roger) Shafer of Mecca, Anita (Paul) Easter of Lombard, Ill.; and a brother-in-law, Larry Leek of Champion.

Preceding Mr. Kay in death are his parents; a son, Steven Kay; and a sister, Marsha Leek.

Services for Mr. Kay will be 11:00 AM Saturday, October 16, 2004 at McFarland and Son Funeral Home, 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, Ohio 44481, with Pastor Sue Reynolds of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Howland Township Cemetery. Friends may call 6:00 to 9:00 PM Friday and 10:00 to 11:00 AM Saturday at the funeral home. Masonic services will be held 5:45 PM Friday at the funeral home. Material contributions may be mad to the Ronald Kay Memorial Fund, c/o Ali Baba Grotto, 760 Perkins Jones Rd. N.E., Warren, Ohio 44483.

McFarland and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please send condolences and view this obituary at www.mcfarlandfuneral.com .