Jay Lester Kaplan

Jay Lester Kaplan, 76, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 24, 2018 with his family at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg after a prolonged battle with cancer. Jay was born October 18, 1941 to Lester and Marge (Cornett) Kaplan in Toledo. Jay is survived by his loving soulmate Chryl Kimberly and faithful furry friend Jackson. After the death of his mother when he was very young, he was raised by his grandparents, Walter and Florence Cornett. He graduated from Clay High School in 1961. Following the death of his father in 1967, Jay became the owner and president of Freightway Corporation. In 1968, he created Kaplan Enterprises and ran both trucking companies side by side. Trucking was in Jay’s blood and he was always active in many transportation related organizations. He had been a member of the Toledo Trucking Association since 1967, serving as TTA president from 1975-77, 1981-83, and 1997-98. He also served on their board of trustees and many special committees. Jay belonged to the Ohio Trucking Association since 1976 and served as their president from 1990-92. Jay was an active member of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and served on the executive committee for the Toledo Area Committee for Improved Transportation (TACIT) as well as the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Government (TMACOG), and the Maumee River Crossing Task Force. He was a member of the Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce from 1983-1991, serving as trustee from 1978-1983. He was also the owner of Big K Sunoco from 1974-81. He was even involved in the Parents Helping Parents Organization, which helps children with any disability, serving as their president in 1994. Jay’s other great enthusiasm was for his land at his almost western style farm in Berkey, Ohio, where he raised his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed many years as a “Gentleman Farmer,” and always kept his property beautifully landscaped and, more importantly, enjoyed. From pool parties to off-roading to a life size Santa sleigh, Jay’s home was as big as he was. His activity extended into the Berkey community, where he served as police commissioner from 1991-94, and mayor in 1992, and again in 1996. His other hobbies included swimming, boating, fishing, racquetball, horseback riding, Ohio State football and entertaining. He was patriarchal in a charming way and for years played gregarious host to all the major family gatherings in all seasons. In addition to Chryl, who remained the blessing by his side, Jay is survived by his daughter Kelly (Brian) Nordin and Kristy Kaplan; grandchildren Sydnie Nordin, Myles Leeper (Leah), Chae (Jimmy) Barker, and Davonta Autman; great grandchildren Brady and Brooks Leeper; brothers Dean (Kim) Kaplan and Rodney Kaplan. He was preceded in death by his brother Mark Kaplan and parents. Jay will be greatly missed by friends and the community around him. He was generous and loyal and remained sharp witted until his last days. He never got too old to not learn from his experience and share new perspectives or a dry joke —— any bad situation was just a good story waiting to happen. He will be missed by his family more than words can describe. Special thanks to Hospice of Northwest Ohio and Tylie Wood for all the loving care they provided. Please join family and friends to celebrate Jay’s life and share memories. Visitation will be at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Rd. (west of Corey Rd.) Thursday, March 1st from 12 to 9 PM. Services will also be held at Walker Funeral Home Friday March 2nd at 11AM, Interment will be immediately following at Toledo Memorial Park.