Kristopher F. Lay

Kris Lay February 6, 1970 - December 6, 2024 Dr. Kristopher (Kris) Frank Lay, 54, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away at home on December 6, 2024, surrounded by his family following a courageous battle against brain cancer. Kris was born on February 6, 1970, in Dothan, Alabama, to Frank and Nancy Lay. He grew up in Pace, Florida, where he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and running track. He was the oldest of four children and loved his family deeply. It was during his childhood that he made the decision to follow Christ and Jesus became first in Kris’ life. He graduated valedictorian from Pace High School and attended the University of Florida on an academic scholarship where he received two degrees: a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Physical Therapy. Kris played football as a walk-on for the University of Florida Gators as a defensive back for two years and was part of the1991 SEC Championship team. During his time at the university, he and a friend started the UF Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was at the UF Fellowship of Christian Athletes that Kris met his future wife of 30 years, Simone Allen, and they married the following year in 1994. In 1997 Kris went back to school in Mobile, Alabama, and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of South Alabama. Their first child, Emery, was born in his senior year of medical school and following graduation the family moved to Birmingham, Alabama, for Kris’ residency in Otolaryngology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. During his last year of residency, their son, Asa, was born and following residency the family moved to Valdosta, Georgia, where Kris practiced medicine for 7 years. Aubrie, their youngest daughter, was born a year after moving to Georgia. In 2013, Kris and Simone moved their family of five back to Birmingham where Kris practiced medicine until he became ill. Kris knew the value of discipline. He consistently woke up early each day to grind his own coffee beans and spend time with God reading the Bible and praying. He loved theology and teaching others about God’s word and promises. One year he led a group of senior high school boys through a systemic study of Bible doctrine. Kris went on mission trips abroad and stateside, but felt his first mission was to his family and then serving others through the practice of medicine. He loved the quote by Ambrose Pare, “I treated him and God cured him”. He was a lifetime athlete who loved the gift of movement. Kris was always reading and passed his love of literature on to his children. Humility, peace, and a servant’s heart marked his character. For as strong as he was physically, he was even more gentle in spirit. Kris would always tell our family to “leave it all out on the field” and he did just that. Kris is survived by his wife Simone Lay; his children, Emery (Weston) Akin, Asa Lay, and Aubrie Lay; his father and mother, Frank and Nancy Lay of Pace, FL; his sisters Kace (Brent) Browning and Kara (Steve) Clark; and his brother Klint (Lindsey) Lay. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Kris: Neuro-Oncology Research Fund UAB Neuro-Oncology Program 510 20th St. South FOT 1020 Birmingham, AL 35294 Attn: Shirley Gibbs Or Neverthirst 1111 Edenton St. Birmingham, AL 3524