Jadell Janes

LT COL (Ret) Jadell Janes, 75 of Columbia, KY, died Friday, December 4, 2020. He was born in Chance, KY and worked in God’s service as a US Air Force Chaplain and pastor in the United Methodist Church. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Carolyn Cundiff Janes; two sons, Brian Janes of Columbia, KY and Neil Janes (Hope) of Elizabethtown, KY; three treasured grandchildren, Tanner Janes, Addison Janes, and Stella Janes; one brother, Russell Janes (Dee) of Cave City, KY, and two sisters, Joyce Wallace (Danny) of Columbia, KY and Sue Jenkins of Tampa, FL, as well as a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Stella Akin Janes, brother Matthew Janes, and sisters, Evola Farrow, Leola Edmonds, Marcella Burris, and Lois Willis.

Jay answered God’s call to pastoral ministry in 1971. He was a 1974 graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College, and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Theology degree from Princeton University. Following ordination, he joined the Air Force as a chaplain. He spent over 20 years of distinguished service in a variety of assignments including Castle AFB California, Misawa AFB Japan, Princeton University (AFIT) New Jersey, Seymour Johnson AFB North Carolina, Air War College Alabama, Anderson AFB Guam, and Ellsworth AFB South Dakota. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Jay pastored churches in Adair, Clinton, and Russell counties. When he retired from pastoral ministry, he enjoyed playing golf with his friends at The Pines at LWC Golf Course. He loved spending time with his family, for whom he made many sacrifices. He loved giving gifts and he rarely ate a family meal that wasn’t “the best he ever had!”