Justice of the Peace Kay Longest Passes After Health Battle

SAN ANGELO, TX - This morning, at approximately 9 a.m. amongst family, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Kay Longest, 65, passed away. According to family and friends, Kay has been suffering from medical issues for some time. 

Judge Eddie Howard, a colleague and friend, said those close to her knew this was coming for some time. However, through it all, she was "an exceptional lady."

"I've never known anybody who had a more indomitable spirit and desire to live than she did," said Judge Howard. "She's been sick for roughly a year to two years, pretty bad, but her spirit was such that only her closest friends really knew how bad things were. For the last couple of weeks, she starting having some insurmountable problems, but passed away about 9 o'clock after this battle with her health."

Judge Howard commended Kay for being a good judge, a compassionate lady, and a very loyal woman to her employees and colleagues.

"She was very loyal, helpful and supportive of the other three judges, so it's going to be a hard loss for all of us. The three judges have kind of known this was coming for two or three months. This is not a shock to us. To a lot of other people, it's quite a shock."

Judge Howard said Kay leaves behind a very supportive family. She was taking care of a great grandson who adored her, and she had many great things in her life.

"Sweet, sweet lady...we're going to miss her," Judge Howard said.

Word about Kay's death spread across social media this morning.

On Kay's Facebook page, family, friends, and acquaintances are posting their condolences. 

Judge Kay Longest was a candidate for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 in 2006 and 2010, and took office in January 2011. She as an Angelo State University 1974 graduate, and devoted her time to public involvement, including Tom Green Coalition Against Violence, Concho Valley Republican Women, and more. She was also a former member of the Rape Crisis Center.

We at San Angelo LIVE! offer our prayers and condolences to her family and close friends.

Update 12:46 p.m.

Chief of Police Frank Carter, on behalf of the San Angelo Police Department, commented this afternoon on the passing of Judge Kay Longest.

"The law enforcement community is mourning over the loss of JP Kay Longest," he said. "I had the privilege of knowing her for 30 plus years. During those years, she was in or around law enforcement; she was a huge supporter of law enforcement, and a caring and compassionate person. I had a chance to visit her in the hospital when was very sick. Even then, she was making calls and notes, and said, 'Work has got to get done.' She will be missed, and we will never forget the memories we shared with her. She was a great woman."