John B (Jay) Dempsey died peacefully Sunday October 16, 2022 at the age of 91. He
was born in West Virginia, on September 2, 1931, the son of John B and Matilda
Dempsey, both predeceasing him by many years. He is survived by his loving wife,
Bonnie Dempsey; children Donna Dempsey and Dr. Brent Dempsey; and grandchildren
Jeffrey, Allison, and Sydney Rodell.

He lived most of his life in Lenore, West Virginia. He served in the United States Army,
then worked for 20 years as a coal miner. Afterwards, he started and ran two successful
businesses: Dempsey Cable and Dempsey Trucking. He was a Deacon at Parsley
Bottom Freewill Baptist Church. He and his wife, Bonnie, retired, traveled extensively
around the world and eventually moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 2000, where they
became members of Liberty Baptist Church.

He was intelligent, well-read, and a hard worker, who was always quick with a funny
story from his days growing up in West Virginia and life with his 11 siblings. He loved to
laugh and had a kind and quick wit. His was devoted to his family, his church and travel,
particularly enjoying his trips to the Holy Land. In his later years, he enjoyed long hours
spent with his three grandchildren.

Viewing will be Friday, October 21, 2022 at 10 am and Services at 11 am at R. Lee
Williams Funeral Home. Internment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota,
Florida.