Jay Kulp

Jay Leo Kulp, 91, died on June 13, 2019 in Portage, Michigan. He was born in Detroit, 1928. After graduating Saint Theresa High School, 1946, Jay joined the United States Army. He was soon stationed for almost two years in Okinawa, Japan. In 1948, he was transferred back to the United States and stationed in the Battle Creek area. Jay met Shirley Washburn at a military dance and married in 1949. Two years later, Jay was Honorably Discharged from the United States Army as a Sergeant First Class with several medals. In 1951, Jay and Shirley welcomed the birth of their only child, Debra Kulp. Applying the skills of management and administration Jay learned in the Army, he worked for and then retired from The Upjohn Company in 1986. Jay enjoyed many nice years of retirement on Big Pine Key, Florida. While in the keys, he enjoyed fishing, diving, boating, square dancing and relaxing with friends and relatives. In 2007, after 57 years of marriage, Jay suffered the loss of his wife, Shirley Kulp. Jay soon relocated to the Portage area to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren. In 2015, Jay suffered another heartbreak with the loss of his only child, Debra Lupina. Jay had many passions including photography, birds, animals, games and any “as seen on TV” gadget. Jay will be forever missed and always remembered as “a nice old man.” Jay is survived by his grandson, Paul Lupina and great-grandchildren Jordan and Samantha Lupina. On July 11, 2019 at 11:00am, Jay will be provided a burial with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery. His wife’s cremains are scheduled for burial with him as well. They will be back together again in their final resting place.