J W "Jay" France
<p><p>J W “Jay” France, age 92, of Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, at The Blake of Kingsport. He was born on June 9, 1934, in Newport, Tennessee, a son of the late George Raymond France and Maggie Evans France. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Janie Harrison France; one brother, James Roby France; and one infant sister, Beulah France.</p><p><br></p><p>Jay was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. During his time of service, he served in the NSA, and Secret Service. He graduated from Newport High School where he played football and attended the University of Tennessee where he was a proud member of the Volunteer football team. He retired with 20+ years of service as an Electrician from TVA. He was a member of Mayfair United Methodist Church and of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Work. He loved taking trips with his family and spending time with his grandchildren who called him Pops and Honey.</p><p><br></p><p>He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kim Rasnick Osborne and husband Bill, and Jan France Cannon and husband Wade; one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Jeffery Jay France and wife Vandi; six grandchildren, Brandon Cannon, Carmen Rasnick Meyer and husband Kyle, Brittany Cannon Streufert and husband Adam, Zachery Rasnick and wife Dannielle, Maddie France, and Kate France; five great grandchildren, Emma Kate Rasnick, Cannon Streufert, Elliott Rasnick, Crawford Streufert, and Griffin Rasnick; one brother, Larry Doyle France; one sister, Ann Balch and husband Dennis; three nephews, Heath Balch and wife Dana, Justin Balch, and Vernon France and wife Kim; and several great nieces and nephews.</p><p><br></p><p>The family will receive friends Friday, August 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Oak Hill Funeral Home. Committal Service will follow at 11:00 AM in Funeral Home Chapel with military honors to be rendered by the American Legion Hammond Post #3/265. A Private Entombment will be held in Mausoleum 4 at Oak Hill Memorial Park.</p><p><br></p><p>In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.</p><p><br></p><p>The family would like to extend their thanks to all the staff at The Blake for all the love and care that was shown.</p><p><br></p><p>Condolences and memories may be shared with the France family by visiting www.oakhillfh.com</p><p><br></p><p>Arrangements, especially for Mr. J W “Jay” France and his family have been made through Oak Hill Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 800 Truxton Drive, Kingsport, TN; 423-246-4631.</p><p><br></p></p>Obituary
J W “Jay” France, age 92, of Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, at The Blake of Kingsport. He was born on June 9, 1934, in Newport, Tennessee, a son of the late George Raymond France and Maggie Evans France. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Janie Harrison France; one brother, James Roby France; and one infant sister, Beulah France.
Jay was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. During his time of service, he served in the NSA, and Secret Service. He graduated from Newport High School where he played football and attended the University of Tennessee where he was a proud member of the Volunteer football team. He retired with 20+ years of service as an Electrician from TVA. He was a member of Mayfair United Methodist Church and of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Work. He loved taking trips with his family and spending time with his grandchildren who called him Pops and Honey.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kim Rasnick Osborne and husband Bill, and Jan France Cannon and husband Wade; one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Jeffery Jay France and wife Vandi; six grandchildren, Brandon Cannon, Carmen Rasnick Meyer and husband Kyle, Brittany Cannon Streufert and husband Adam, Zachery Rasnick and wife Dannielle, Maddie France, and Kate France; five great grandchildren, Emma Kate Rasnick, Cannon Streufert, Elliott Rasnick, Crawford Streufert, and Griffin Rasnick; one brother, Larry Doyle France; one sister, Ann Balch and husband Dennis; three nephews, Heath Balch and wife Dana, Justin Balch, and Vernon France and wife Kim; and several great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Friday, August 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Oak Hill Funeral Home. Committal Service will follow at 11:00 AM in Funeral Home Chapel with military honors to be rendered by the American Legion Hammond Post #3/265. A Private Entombment will be held in Mausoleum 4 at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.
The family would like to extend their thanks to all the staff at The Blake for all the love and care that was shown.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the France family by visiting www.oakhillfh.com
Arrangements, especially for Mr. J W “Jay” France and his family have been made through Oak Hill Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 800 Truxton Drive, Kingsport, TN; 423-246-4631.
Events
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Kingsport, TN 37660
11:00 AM
Kingsport, TN 37660
Kingsport, TN