Jay Wanamaker

M. Jay Wanamaker, 92, of Topeka, passed away, Wednesday, June 9, 2004 at Brewster Place in Topeka.


He was born February 17, 1912 in Barnes, KS the son of William and Bessie (Brown) Wanamaker.

Mr. Wanamaker resided in Topeka from July 1941 to July 1942. He then entered the military serving in World War II until his discharge in 1945. Following his discharge he continued with the Air Reserves retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1982.

Prior to, and following World War II, Mr. Wanamaker worked for Dunn and Bradstreet serving as a regional sales manager in St. Louis. He returned to Topeka in 1950, and with his brother, Bill, began Wanamaker Insurance Agency. He owned and operated Wanamaker Insurance, currently the Charlton-Manley Agency, for many years.

Jay was a member of First United Methodist Church; Shawnee Country Club; and the West Topeka Rotary Club. He served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kansas, and later served as president of his national trade association, the Independent Insurance Agents of America.

He married his college sweetheart Wilma Tuttle on August 6, 1938 in Kansas City, MO. She preceded him in death on July 28,1991. He married Judy Hill, June 6, 1992 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include: one daughter, Jane Becker, Vero Beach, FL; one son, Stephen J. Wanamaker, Topeka; one brother, Ormand "Bill" Wanamaker, Bella Vista, AR; five grandsons and two great grandsons.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2004 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Mr. Wanamaker will lie in state after 12:00 noon Friday and the family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Private inurnment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, Topeka Chapter, P.O. Box 1427, Topeka, 66601. Online condolences may be left at www.penwellgabel.com.