James (Jay) Clinton Baynum, Junior passed in peace Monday, April 15, 2019 at the age of 88 in Apopka Florida. He was born April 18, 1930 in Charleston West Virginia, living in Spring Fork before moving to Huntington West Virginia, where he spent his formative years.
At the age of 18, he moved to Owasso, Michigan where he attended Owosso College, obtaining his undergraduate degree. He worked his way through college at a local shoe store. He became involved in local athletics, playing baseball and basketball. While there, he met Bonnie Symmons, whom he married in July 1950. Their daughter Janice Rae was born in June 1951.
Upon graduation, Jay attended Nazarene Theological Seminary, where he obtained his Master of Divinity. He pastored several churches over a 30 year career, including Traverse City Michigan, Chicago Heights, Illinois, Seattle –Aurora, Washington, Olivet Nazarene University and Lakewood Nazarene Church, Colorado. Jay also worked as a commercial contractor, specializing in gym floors and tennis courts. He retired in 1992 to move to Apopka Florida. In 1993, he married Julie Irons.
In Florida, Jay ran the family owned mobile home park from 1992-2006. He was President of the Errol Estate Property Owners Association from 1995-2004, a member of Errol Estates Country Club and one year President of the Men’s Golfing Association. He golfed 4 days a week and he ran a Monday Morning golfing group for several years.
Jay is preceded in death by his parents, James Clinton Baynum, Senior and Bessie Vermillion Baynum, an infant son and wife Bonnie Baynum. He is survived by his wife, Julie Baynum, his brother Ralph Baynum (wife Dee), daughter Janice Gifford (husband Harv), 2 granddaughters, Janae Van Slyke (husband Chris) and Jacqueline Gallup (husband Jordan), 5 great grandchildren, Tatum and Asher Van Slyke, Kadence, Charlotte and Hazel Gallup and 7 nieces and 2 nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of the Comforter.