Reverend James F. Hay

July 18, 1928 - February 19, 2022

Reverend James Frederick Hay was born July 18, 1928 in Rockwood, Pennsylvania, and was brought into the arms of the Lord on Saturday, February 19, 2022. He was preceded in passing by his parents, James Hay and Mary Orendorf Hay, his loving wife of 56 years, Ruth FernLee Welsh, and grandson, Andrew M. Hay. Reverend Hay graduated from Fort Wayne Bible College with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then founded the Wabash Alliance Church in 1952, serving there for 14 years. In 1966 he moved his family to Euclid, Ohio, serving the Euclid Alliance Church, moving the church to Willoughby Hills, Ohio. He then pastored the Maplegrove Alliance Church until 1980. In 1980 Pastor Hay was called to serve the First Alliance Church in Fort Myers, Florida. He led the congregation to build and move to a new location, now called Christ Community Church, where he served for 16 years. Reverend Hay’s ministry did not end there. He continued to minister and teach for 26 more years, including 14 years as Pastor of The Chapel at Windmill Village in North Fort Myers, pastoring for a total of 70 years. He once said, “Faith in Jesus is more than a religious belief, it is a way of life.” Reverend Hay was a man of convictions, never compromising, for they were built on Biblical truth. He was a missionary unto the country in which he lived until the day he departed to see his Savior, Jesus Christ “Face to Face” – his favorite hymn. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Darlene Harris Hay; children Jeffrey Hay (Karen) of North Fort Myers, FL, Reverend James Hay, Jr. (Cynthia) of Brooksville, FL, Jack Hay (Nancy) of Cincinnati, OH, and Timothy Hay of Gainesville, FL; stepchildren Dr. Michael Harris (Candy) of Orem, UT, Kevin Harris (Colleen) of Cape Coral, FL, and Lisa Harris Goeders (Shawn) of Apex, NC; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild; 10 step-grandchildren, and seven step-great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM at Christ Community Church located at 4050 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33966. A Funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Reverend Hay’s name to the Christ Community Church Great Commission Fund. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Homes.