Birth date: Sep 28, 1934 Death date: May 31, 2016
David Kay Eldridge, 81 of Decatur, Illinois died Tuesday May 31, 2016 in Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL. Kay was born in Oklahoma City, OK on September 28, 1934 the son of Raymond Eldridge Sr. and Vernice Hopper Eldridge. Read Obituary
Dear Patty I am sad to learn of Kays Passing. He was always Kind and Respectable to me Our special lunches at the Golden Corral are memories that I still reflect upon. He treated me as Family and was apart of my life for over 20 years.those were the best years of my life . My Sincere Condolences Larry Snell
I met Rebel at Bradley in 1952. He, Ray, and I were Fraternity Brothers. In 1960 I went to the Deatur jewelry store with my wife to be and purchased an engagement ring and wedding bands. We lost contact until circa 1987 when I saw his picture in a full page Peoria Journal Star ad for Kay's. Tracked him down via phone. Had a long conversation with him and Ray about our lives since Bradley, but we never got to meet. My last contact by phone was when he was selling the business and we hoped to meet up when he was in Chicago taking care of the legal aspects. Sadly it never happened. He was a person you never forgot, and while we didn't see one another for more than 50 years, we were still friends,. Am so sad to hear of his death. My deepest sympathies to the family.
I was a high school classmate of "Rebel" and my late wife and i were friends with David and his first wife in Decatur. We were God parents to his daughter I believe when she was baptized at St Johns Episcopal Church. Please know that you are in my prayers. Shelby Hamilton, Belleville, Illinois.
Working at K's Merchandise is a cherished memory. When I became ill, the management team under Mr. Eldridge was generous toward me. Rest in peace, Sir.
Lit a candle in memory of David "Kay" Eldridge
Kay was one of a kind. I will always be grateful for the many lessons learned and opportunities he gave me while working for him. He inspired me to return to school and pursue an entirely new career. I have thought of him and his family often over the years. My deepest sympathy to all who loved him.Nora Lozier Crandall
Training with Ray Sr, speaking to Ray Jr about diamond buying and jewelry promotions was one of many things that made Kâ??s a unique retail business. Many generations of family having great passion for their business. Also having Kay visit your store was always a learning experience. Condolences to the Eldridge family. Proverbs 22:29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kingsRay Zadrozny
I worked for Kay for many years out of the Pershing Road office in the IT department. He was a wonderful individual and very approachable and easy to talk to. Despite his position he was someone you would be happy to "sit down and have a beer with".I felt him quite an inspiration and his company was very understanding during some difficult periods for me. The end of my employment was somewhat estranged but he did everything possible to help me where he could.My condolences to the family and all my prayers for Kay and his legacy.James P. Wiant
I will never forget Kay and the opportunity I was given at K's Merchandise, as many of you have expressed. I also had many conversations with Kay and learned so much from those times and in reading and helping him to write his books and his processes for how to run the business. From those conversations and from working side-by-side with Kay I was able to see gentle, thoughtful, creative, sometimes hard, and the brilliant man that Kay was. Kay taught me lessons that have helped me to reach levels of success in the companies where I have worked and I shall remain forever grateful, as I shared with him a few years ago. With all my heart I say: Thank you Kay for your impact on my life. My prayers are with Ray and all the Eldridge family.
I will never forget Kay and the opportunity I was given at K's Merchandise. I was fresh out of college and naive about a lot of things. There were many conversations that we shared. It was in those moments, I saw the gentle-man. His disposition and approach was that of a father or uncle sharing good advice. In all of the companies I've worked since or will work, I don't think I will ever experience a rapport like that with Kay. Thank you Kay for your impact on my life, as well as, everyone else. My prayers are with the Eldridge family.
