Walter "Walt" Kay, Jr.

Walter “Walt” Herbert Kay, Jr., age 93, passed away on October 17, 2025. Born in Dayton, Ohio on May 31, 1932, to Sara Lametta Darnell and Walter Kay Sr., Walt grew up during the Great Depression, an era that instilled in him an enduring work ethic. At a young age, he began his journey in the workforce with various jobs such as sweeping a barbershop, cleaning a drugstore, and then pumping gas. In his teenage years, he and his younger brother proudly recalled earning “real money” caddying 36 holes of golf and mowing grass at Meridian Hills Country Club — walking over 3 miles each way.

In 1951, Walt enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably during the Korean War aboard the LST 515 (Landing Ship Tank) as a Log Room Yeoman in the main engine compartment. His Navy years left him with dramatic stories — especially his harrowing account of surviving three Atlantic hurricanes that diverted his ship over 450 miles off course toward Cuba. “What a ride,” he’d say with a grin.

After his military service, Walt and his buddies would spend time racing Jalopy’s at the old Indianapolis Speedrome, which instilled his lifelong love of racing of NASCAR, Indy Cars, Formula 1, and especially the Indy 500. With a passion for photography, Walt and his brother, Larry, opened and ran the first camera and film shop at the Indy Raceway Park, which is now known as the Lucas Oil Raceway Park.

Walt spent his whole working career at construction sites, around heavy equipment, construction, and various job sites. He assisted with selling, renting, and safety for the sites that he worked on. He the first BobCat salesman in Indiana, but he could tell you the history of the city of Indianapolis for any buildings that were built over the years. Later on in his life, he worked at Jack’s Tool Rental (now Runyon Equipment Rental), where he became involved in the company’s racing teams — Team Runyon Racing and Hemelgarn Racing — at the Indy 500 from 1989 to 1995.

In his retirement years, Walt turned his attention to become an OSHA outreach trainer for safety and education, developing and delivering OSHA-compliant safety programs for the construction industry. He trained over 7,000 workers and inspected hundreds of job sites, making significant contributions to workplace and construction site safety in the greater Indianapolis area.

Walt had many joys beyond work. He loved card games, board games, gardening with his wife Sharon, visiting historical sites, following politics, and capturing moments through his camera lens. Walt also treasured the quiet beauty of the slower moments – he always said his backyard was his “shrangri-la”. Walt was fiercely independent, direct, and unafraid to speak his mind. He faced a long cancer journey with remarkable resilience and optimism, and remained a spirited storyteller to the end — eager to share wisdom and wit with anyone willing to listen.

Walt is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Sharon Kay, and by five of his children from previous marriages: Michael Kay, Brian Kay (Julie), Karen Rodgers, Victoria Kay (Graeme Hunter), and Maria Bailey, leaving behind 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Through his marriage to Sharon, Walt is also survived by her children Donald Runyon (Helen) and Deborah Hamilton (Timothy), from whom he was blessed with 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and cherished friends. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Lametta and Walter H. Kay Sr., his brother, Lawrence Kay, and one grandson.

A Gathering will take place from 2:00-3:00pm, with a Celebration at 3:00pm, on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park (Lakeview Chapel), 4180 Westfield Rd., Westfield, IN, 46062.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Community MD Anderson Cancer Center (Indiana) at “Community Health Network Foundation”- 7330 Shadeland Station, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46256.

For those wishing to share memories or pay respects, please visit the online memorial at: www.flannerbuchanan.com