Dr. John Morgan Kaye, 90, died Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus after a brief illness. John Morgan Kaye was born February 4, 1921 in Columbus, Mississippi to the late Samuel Kaye, Jr. and Louise Morgan Kaye. A decorated World War II pilot, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross having flown 287 missions in P38, P39, and P51 aircrafts while serving in the Pacific Theater. Following the war he was owner-manager of a farm equipment dealership, rancher, and subdivision developer, as well as a teacher of Geology and Earth Science. Dr. Kaye taught for over 20 years at Mississippi State University and summers at Mississippi University for Women. A graduate of Lee High School, Dr. Kaye received his undergraduate degree in Business from Vanderbilt University. Later in life he returned to Mississippi State University and earned his Masters degree in Geology and PhD in Geology from Louisiana State University. His studies and interest in Geology continued throughout his life. Aside from his family, his next greatest interest was fossil hunting in the creeks of Lowndes County and surrounding areas Dr. Kaye authored and co-authored numerous Geology articles published in Geological Society of America, Journal of Paleontology, Herpetologica, and Tulane Studies in Geology, as well as a Finnish mammalian journal. He always was quick to provide a geology lesson when the opportunity arose. He was a member of the College Cabinet at Vanderbilt University; Patron of Excellence at Mississippi State University; Columbus United Way as a member of the Rivereen Society and a longtime member of Columbus Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow. Dr. Kaye is survived by his wife Patricia Bannerman Kaye of Columbus; daughter Louise Kaye of Mobile, AL; sons John M. Kaye, Jr. (Veronica) of Grand Bay, AL. and William S. Kaye of Hong Kong; step-daughter Roslyn Davis (Gary) of West Point, MS; Seven grandchildren Kristopher Kaye (Jessica) of Ft Collins, CO., Joshua Kaye (Amanda) of Mobile, AL; Samuel Kaye (Dawn) of Mobile, AL, Kirkland Kaye and Jacqueline Kaye of Christchurch, New Zealand, Justin Davis (Kelly) and Jody Davis of West Point, MS., seven great-grandchildren;, sister Lorraine Tucker (Jim) of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; niece Charlotte Hardy (Mark) and nephew, the late Carlton Tucker (Mary Alice); cousins Samuel Kaye (Carolyn) and Jim Kaye (Lois). Special gratitude is given to the excellent caregivers who provided for him in these last few years, Bealah Abrams, Mary Noland, Deborah Nabors, Gloria Wade and long time housekeeper, Bessie Moore. Dr. Kayes request was that his body be donated to science. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Dunn-Seiler Museum of Geology, 108 Hilbun Hall, 355 East Le BLvd., Mississippi State University, MS State, MS 39762 or to the Columbus-YMCA, 602 2nd Avenue North, Columbus, MS 39701.
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