Jay D. Richey, age 77, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away Thursday afternoon, August 26, 2021, at Flora Gardens Care Center. He was born September 7, 1943, in Olney, the son of Jacob Donald and Mildred Mae (Mattoon) Richey. He married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Jo Bemount, on June 1, 1963, just after she finished school. Jay had graduated from Flora Township High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After the wedding, he and Pam drove over 3,700 miles to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, and began what would be part of a 29-year around-the-world life journey while he was on assignment. He trained and specialized in Aircraft Maintenance, Systems Management, and Aerospace Propulsion. Jay served in Vietnam during his extensive service career, and eventually retired as Chief Master Sergeant in 1990. He later drove a school bus, and served on the Flora Volunteer Fire Department and the Clay County Board. He was member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disable