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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF JAY PATEL OF NORTH CHARLESTON AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jay Patel of North Charleston on August 28, 2021, at the age of nearly seventy-one; and
Whereas, born in Puna, India, on September 8, 1950, Jay Patel moved at the age of eleven to Wellingborough, England, to complete his education. Later, he moved to Wellington, New Zealand, where he accepted a job, thereafter making his way to Milan, Georgia, and finally to North Charleston, where he resided for thirty-nine years with his family; and
Whereas, a businessman, Jay Patel believed strongly in personal involvement with his community, and his convictions led him to serve that community, as well as the broader community of South Carolina and beyond, in several capacities. A past international director of the International Association of Lions Clubs, Jay was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of the organization at its 81st International Convention, held in Birmingham, England, June 29-July 3, 1998. As a member of the North Charleston Lions Club since 1983, he held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, region chairman, zone chairman, cabinet secretary and treasurer, and membership chairman; and
Whereas, in recognition of his spirit of excellence and dedicated service, Jay Patel received various honors, among them the Lion of the Year Award, 100% Club President Award, 100% District Governor Award, District Governor Excellence Award, International President's Award, International President Leadership Award, International President Certificate of Appreciation, Drug Awareness Chairman's Award, and Ambassador of Good Will Award, the latter being the highest honor granted by the association to its members. He also is featured in the South Carolina Lions Hall of Fame; and
Whereas, further, Jay, who received the Queen's Badge from Her Majesty the Queen of England, was a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and had perfect attendance for many years; and
Whereas, in addition to his Lion activities, Jay Patel was a member of the chamber of commerce and chair of the City of North Charleston Property Owners Association Citizen Advisory Council. He served as president of a neighborhood council and as a clerk of the election committee, and he was founder and president of the North Charleston Merchant Association and the Greater Charleston India Association. Moreover, Jay was a member of the Storm Eye Institute Board of Trustees at the Medical University of South Carolina, chair of the South Carolina Eye Research Center Advisory Committee, and honorary commander of Charleston Air Base. Other honors include the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King Community Service Award and the Order of the Silver Crescent, the highest service award given by the State of South Carolina; and
Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of forty-nine years, Kamini Patel; his children, Saloni, Sital, Deepa, and Vinesh; his grandchildren, Aashir, Laxmi, Sai, and Gia; and a host of loving friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Jay Patel of North Charleston and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Kamini Patel for the family.
This web page was last updated on December 6, 2021 at 3:07 PM