James L. "Jay" Emery

James L. "Jay" Emery, 57, Nevada, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, as the result of a house fire at his home. He was born Dec. 31, 1951, in Nevada, to Frank E. Emery and Helen O. Faith Emery.

Jay grew up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1970. He attended college at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. Jay lived and worked in Los Angeles, Calif., for a number of years and returned to Nevada in 1985. He spent most of his working life in retail sales and as a small business owner. Jay will be missed deeply by all his family.

Jay was married to Chris Schmidt and to this union was born one son, Jon Mikel Emery of Nevada, who is currently serving with the Peace Corps in Ukraine. Also surviving are his mother, Helen Emery, Nevada; one brother, Ed Emery and his wife Rebecca, Lamar, Mo.; one sister, Leesa Drury and her husband Tom, Park Rapids, Minn.; and 10 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Emery; three brothers, Randy Emery, Mike Emery, and an infant brother Terry Lynn Emery.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 9, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Steve Russ officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute to the Nevada High School Scholarship Fund in memory of Jay Emery in care of Team Bank, 201 E. Cherry, Nevada, or Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO 64772.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.