Saint Louis University alumnus and benefactor Henry A. Lay will be remembered Friday, Nov. 17, at a memorial service held in his honor.

The service will take place at noon in St. Francis Xavier College Church with a reception following, in the P?re Marquette Gallery in DuBourg Hall.

Lay, who was born April 11, 1941 in Long Beach, Calif., died Thursday, Oct. 5 in his home near Louisiana, Mo., at the age of 59.

Lay was an undergraduate seminary student and a 1964 graduate cum laude of SLU Law School. He was editor of Saint Louis University Law Journal from 1963-1964.

In 1964 Lay joined the St. Louis law firm of Greensfelder, Hemkur, Wiese, Gale & Chappelow. He achieved partnership in 1969 and became assistant general counsel of May Department Stores Co. in 1970.

After being elected vice president of Real Estate and Improvements in 1977, Lay was chosen to serve on May’s board of directors and joined the executive committee of the board the following year.

Between 1983 and 1985 Lay was on SLU’s board of trustees and Boatmen’s Bancshares board of directors as well as serving the position of advisory director to Schnucks Supermarkets.

The Lay Family Foundation, formerly known as the Sister Mary Louis Foundation, was founded by Lay to give inner city residents a chance to pursue educational opportunities.

Lay was known for his significant contributions to the University and other organizations, offering his time and money for the betterment of the community.

“Henry Lay was a generous friend to the entire University. He supported students with scholarship funds…[and was] very generous to the School of Law. He was a very good lawyer, extraordinarily bright, very strong and generous,” said Provost Sandra Johnson.

According to Vincent C. Immel, Professor Emeritus, Lay was a bright young man and a very hard worker. The fact that he did not just give money to institutions but that he worked with them is what is most memorable, said Immel. For example, Lay not only gave money to develop the atrium in the law school building, but he got others to contribute.

“He donated heavily to the University. He was interested in helping others,” said Immel.

Lay is survived by his sons, Matthew W. Lay and Andrew J. Lay; his daughter, Susan L. Lay; grandson Aubrey R. Lay; brother John Lay; and brother-in-law Richard Midlam. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Elizabeth Lay Midlam and Susan (Sister Mary Louis) Lay.