Jay R. Akin, 82, of Plattsburg, Mo., passed away Thursday evening, Sept. 25, 2025, at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Mo.
Jay was born on Aug. 4, 1943, the son of Jesse and Lola (McConnell) Akin in Cherokee. He grew up in Cherokee where he was the youth champion trap shooter and was a 1961 graduate of Cherokee High School.
After high school Jay attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Okla. He married Doris Belle Leverich on May 21, 1983, in Smithville, Mo. Jay and Doris first made their home in Smithville before moving to their home in Plattsburg in 1995. He was a police officer for the Cherokee and the Gladstone and Smithville, Mo., police departments for 20 years. After working as a police officer, Jay worked as an aircraft mechanic for TWA and American Airlines for over 20 years. Jay also served as a reserve officer for Smithville Police Department and Platte County Sheriff's Office.
He was a faithful member of Temperance Masonic Lodge No. 438 AF & AM in Smithville. Along with being an aircraft mechanic, Jay also obtained his commercial pilot’s license, flying several different planes throughout his life. Jay and Doris were both very involved with the American Field Service, hosting many foreign exchange students in their home. He loved Ham Radio where he held an extra license and assisted testing students pursuing their licenses. Jay also loved the outdoors, particularly fly-fishing and snowmobiling. He had many hobbies and would always encourage everyone to join in with him. Jay will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Lola Akin; son Jay “Chip” Jr.; and daughter-in-law Karen Akin.
He is survived by his loving wife Doris Akin of the home; son Jeff Akin of Blynton, Okla.; grandsons, Mark and Josh Akin; granddaughter Destinee (Brian) Morgan; great-grandchildren, Eileen and Jessee Morgan; step-daughter Susan Bratcher (George) of Kansas City, Mo.; step-son Fred Burroughs Jr. (Pam) of Kansas City, Mo.; step-granddaughter Megan Rowland (Jess); step-great-granddaughters, Mille and Lola Rowland; step-daughter Marcia Conley of Deland, Fla.; step-grandsons: Jonathan, Darren, Chad (Kathleen) and Jacob Conley; step-granddaughter Samantha Conley (Jose' Medina); step-great-granddaughters, Artemis and Freyja Medina; and our AFS foreign exchange students: Tania, Nellie, Ricko, Fumiko, Artyom, Dima, Alexi, Bruna, Nathalie, Rieko, Kris, Emre, Aziz and Taka. Other extended family members and friends also survive.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the AFS Intercultural Programs or the Masonic Home of Missouri in care of the funeral home.
A visitation will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, with a service following at 3 p.m. at Stith Funeral Home in Lathrop. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Plattsburg, Mo. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Lathrop. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com
