J. Kay Thorne, Jr.

October 13, 1943 – June 6, 2025

Jesse Kay Thorne, Jr, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, in Federal Way, Washington, at the age of 81. Kay was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse K. Thorne and Leda Hanson Thorne, and three siblings, Pauline, Geneal, and Robert. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janice Allen Thorne; their six children, Leslee (John), David (Keri), LeAnn (Todd), Lisa (Jared), Matthew (Anna), and Alan (Suri); two siblings, Keyne (Carol Gay) and Maralyn; as well as 17 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Kay was born on October 13, 1943, in American Fork, Utah. He grew up in nearby Pleasant Grove, with the exception of three years when the family lived in the Uinta Basin. Some of his favorite childhood activities were fishing in the canyons above Pleasant Grove, kite-flying, and playing summer softball. Kay graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1962 and left just a few months later to serve in the North British Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After returning from his mission service, Kay courted and married his childhood sweetheart, Janice, and together they finished their university degrees, established a home, and started their family. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Utah in 1970. Kay and Janice eventually settled near Portland, Oregon and then Seattle, Washington, where they raised their family and embraced the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Always a diligent and industrious worker, Kay had a lengthy and successful career in commercial construction insurance claim adjusting. He certified as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and a Casualty Property Claim Law Associate. After working for firms in California, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, he eventually founded his own company, Thorne Risk Management Consulting, Inc., and was especially pleased to guide clients through the process of filing successful claims and lending his expertise to advocate for them. Kay continued working well past retirement age, winding up his last cases just three years ago.

Kay cherished his family above all else. His children remember camping with family friends along the Oregon coast, innumerable road trips to visit grandparents and other extended family, playing on sports teams he supported (and at times coached), and the later biannual family reunions he and Janice planned and eagerly anticipated. His grandchildren have cherished these reunions as times to hear his stories, eat and play together, and tap into his enthusiasm for exploring the world. He loved to regale them with stories to make them laugh, such as recounting how he would sit behind Janice in Sunday School and pull her curls to make them bounce.

He will live in their memories as the grandpa good-naturedly teasing them, proudly celebrating their accomplishments, and jauntily sporting his seemingly endless supply of silk Hawaiian shirts.

Throughout his life, Kay was a faithful and active member of the Latter-day Saint church, serving in several teaching and leadership callings, including Bishop and Stake Presidency Counsellor. He spent many years teaching early morning seminary for the youth of his congregations in California and Washington, a calling he enjoyed immensely. Many youth benefitted from his warm welcome and endless cups of hot chocolate when walking into the church building in the wee hours of the morning.

As time permitted, Kay relished travel. He and Janice explored the continental United States, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. They voyaged in the Caribbean, Central America, the Mediterranean, and Europe. They especially enjoyed visiting their adult children in homes across the United States and beyond. Kay developed his interest in photography during these trips, sharing his photos and expertise with children and grandchildren. No matter the place or the time of day, you could count on a cheerful “good morning” from Kay.

We miss our husband, father, and grandfather immensely, and we look forward in faith and hope to a joyous reunion in the eternities.

Funeral services for Kay will be held at 11:00 a.m. PT, Friday, June 13, 2025, at 31816 47th Avenue SW, Federal Way, Washington. The services will be live-streamed at https://tinyurl.com/5ajvd7en. Those wishing to send flowers may contact https://www.federalwaybudsandblooms.com/.

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