Javan (Jay) Earl Dargan

April 15, 1941 - April 21, 2016

Javan (Jay) Earl Dargan

Javan (Jay) Earl Dargan was born April 15, 1941 in Charteris, Quebec, Canada. He was the son of the late Rev. Robert and Edna Dargan, who pastored in the Free Methodist Church in the East Ontario Conference in Canada. He was the second of four children: Robert Dargan (Greenville, Illinois), Shirley Donnell (Greenville, Illinois), and Danny who preceded him in death.
Jay was married to Myrtle Margaret (Smith) Dargan on December 21, 1962 in Dallas, Texas. From this union were born Sherilyn Kay (McPherson) in 1965, and Deborah Sue (Anderson) in 1967.
Jay was formally educated in several institutions and in various disciplines. He always had multiple interests and God given skills, but never wanted his formal education to interfere with relationships he desired with the common people he loved. He often downplayed his educational training, and said that sometimes it "Got in my way".
Jay received his B.A, degree from Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, with majors in Biology and Secondary Education and a minor in Sociology. He earned the Master of Religious Education degree
( M.R. E. ) from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, the Certificate of Corrections, ( 30 graduate hours), from Sam Houston State University in Texas, the Master of Arts ( M.A.) degree in Sociology from Sam Houston State University in Texas), the Master of Education degree ( M.Ed.) in Counseling from South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, and the Doctor of Philosophy ( Ph.D.) degree in Sociology from South Dakota State University.
Jay was especially committed to his calling from God in Christian Higher Education, and in encouraging and serving others. This led him to serve in several capacities in a variety of places and situations which included:
Juvenile Probation Officer with the Nueces County Juvenile Probation Department in Corpus Christi, Texas, counseling juvenile delinquents and their families,
Professor of Sociology, Dean of Students, and Director of Planned Giving at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky,
Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology at Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas,
Professor of Sociology at Miltonvale Wesleyan College in Kansas,
Professor of Sociology at Hesston College in Kansas,
Professor of Counseling at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi,
Director of Development, Vice President for Advancement, and Vice President of the Asbury Foundation of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky,
Vice President for the Southeast Region of the United States for the Free Methodist Foundation based in Spring Arbor, Michigan.
He retired December 31, 2008.
However, Asbury Theological Seminary asked him if he would come back part time for one year in 2010 to train others and write a training manual which he did.
Full retirement began in January, 2011.
Jay was a member of a number of professional and civic organizations, and held numerous awards and honors.
Jay was the author of five books, and a number of articles published in professional and denominational magazines. He also wrote about 40 songs and poems, and has had some of those published. But, his most well known publication was probably his cookbook with 429 recipes entitled, In My Kentucky Kitchen, which has been a favorite of many.
Jay was a lifelong member of the Free Methodist Church, and was actively involved in the Wilmore Free Methodist Church, where he served on various boards, and committees, and taught from time to time.
Jay is survived by his loving wife Margaret (Smith) Dargan, of fifty-three years, and his daughter Sherilyn Kay ( Scott Edward) McPherson, and Deborah Sue (Douglas Lowell) Anderson, and eleven grandchildren: Daniel Dargan (Hope) McPherson, Kathryn Leigh McPherson, and Andrew Robert McPherson; and Joshua Lowell, Christy Sue, Caleb Douglas, Josiah David, Micah Smith, Adam David, Noah Joshua, and Jillian Sue Anderson, and two foster-care children, Ty and Chris. He is also survived by his brother, Robert "Bob"(Althea Jones) Dargan, his sister, Shirley (William "Bill") Donnell, sister-in-law, Beth (David) Dargan White, two nieces and five nephews, four great nieces, and five great nephews.
On his wife's side, Jay is survived by sister-in-law, Marilyn Sue Smith (William "Bill") Freeman; sister-in-law, Lillian Beth Smith (Marvin) Fields; brother-in-law, John Harold (Janice) Smith; brother-in-law, Daniel Chris Smith, four nieces, four nephews, eight great nieces, and ten great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Dargan, his mother, Edna Beatrice Stevenson Dargan, his brother, Dan Dargan, and niece, Julie Dargan.

Visitation will be from 5-9 PM Monday, April 25 at the Wilmore Free Methodist Church. Jay's Remembrance Service will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 26, with burial following in the Wilmore Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving love gifts to the "Jay and Margaret Dargan Endowed Scholarship Fund" at Oakdale Christian Academy, 5801 Beattyville Rd., Jackson, Kentucky 41339, or to the "Jay and Margaret Dargan Endowed Scholarship Fund" at Asbury Theological Seminary, 204 N. Lexington, Wilmore, KY 40390, or the building fund for the Wilmore Free Methodist Church, 1200 N. Lexington, Wilmore, KY 40390.

Funeral Information

Receiving Friends: 5-9 PM Monday, April 25
at Wilmore Free Methodist Church

Remembrance Service: 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 26
at the church

Laid to Rest: Wilmore Cemetery

Donations Information

"Jay and Margaret Dargan Endowed Scholarship Fund" at Oakdale Christian Academy
5801 Beattyville Rd., Jackson, Kentucky 41339

"Jay and Margaret Dargan Endowed Scholarship Fund" at Asbury Theological Seminary
204 N. Lexington, Wilmore, KY 40390

Building Fund of the Wilmore Free Methodist Church
1200 N. Lexington, Wilmore, KY 40390.

Donations Links:

Oakdale Christian Academy
Wilmore Free Methodist Church
Asbury Theological Seminary

Directions

Visitation: Wilmore Free Methodist C

Service: Wilmore Free Methodist C