Jay, James L. (Jim)

Born May 13, 1936
Died Sep 02, 2011

Jim (red shirt) enjoying 2010 Pamper Camper

Jay, James L. 75, grew up in Decatur, IL with parents Lena and Paul Jay, and sisters Linda DuBois, and Sue Pepple. At 17 met sweetheart Claudia Rennert, married and had 7 children. Served in U.S. Air Force working on fighter jets and for McDonnell/Boeing in field service, moved with family to 6 states, became a manager in product support, retired after 40 years. Jim loved singing as a Barbershopper and in a quartet called A Simple Melody. He was a Gideon, Teacher, Deacon, Boy Scout Leader, SIUE graduate. Jim loved reading, music and family. He had a sweet and compassionate heart, was a good father and husband. He loved the Lord. Jim's children and family are: Joni Jay and Doug Byrnes (Megan), Julie Jay and Steve Meloan (Tyler), Jeffrey Jay and Patricia Hansen, Janice Jay and Jeff Wood (Joshua, Jill, Jaimie), Jonathon Jay and Sheri Corcoran (Matt, David), Jennifer Jay and Fred Zluhan (Michael, Eric, Rachel), Joseph Jay and Rose Parmer (Sarah, Joseph); Great Grandchildren: Aiden, Christian, Gabriel and Evan.

A Memorial to Jim Jay

By Claudia Jay

Jim died in my arms yesterday, September 2, 2011 at 2:00 PM. Jim was ill for
many years, and the doctors couldn't seem to get at the root of the problems.
Starting at age 25 he was passing out, not being able to realize what happened
unless we told him. This condition lasted throughout his lifetime. One noted doctor
described this as cataplexy. Dad had many other physical ailments including
diabetes and neuropathy in his feet. Jim had a fall which affected his right knee.
This knee was eventually replaced. He had no rehab following the operation, and
the result really slowed him down. From this point on Jim's health deteriorated
because of difficulty in walking and lack of exercise.

On a brighter note, Jim had spirit right until the end. He had spirit as we reared
our children, moving from state to state for his job as a Technical Representative
and later as a Manager. Besides interacting with his children with scouts,
basketball, playing and reading to them and helping at home with anything from
changing diapers to fixing cars, Jim found time to obtain a bachelor's degree from
Southern Illinois University. Jim also moonlighted by working 2nd and 3rd jobs
cleaning a Kmart and working as an auto mechanic. Jim was humble that way,
even though he continued to exceed expectations as a manager at McDonnell
Aircraft Company. Jim retired from McDonnell Aircraft on January 22, 1999 after
40 years of service. He had a grand retirement party which we have a video of.

Dad had extra motivation because of his love for his family. He didn't complain
about all of the work, but his illness sometimes made him upset, and none of us
could figure our why, until it was too late. Dad appreciated his large family, and
he wanted so much to spend more time with his children and grandchildren, as
they left home to make their own lives. He had given all of his strength and resources
and values to make a most wonderful family.

Jim served in the Air Force for 4 years where he worked as a radar technician on
fighter jets. At McDonnell Aircraft, Jim became a Technical Representative and
then was promoted to Manager. After Jim retired from Boeing he took a job as a
teacher at Hazelwood Central High School where he worked with kids with bad
behavior. He was a Deacon, a Gideon, a Boy Scout leader, and was involved for
many years with the Barbershoppers. He sang in a group called "Simple Melody"
and worked as an officer for many choruses. "Simple Melody" often rehearsed at
our house on weekends and I made them cookies. Dad had a beautiful voice and I
loved to hear him sing.

When we came back from Hawaii he was sitting on the couch and playing guitar
and singing, and I made a video of it. I would love to find it because it has two of
my favorite songs that I love to hear him sing, "The Green, Green Grass of Home"
and "Sometimes in the Morning".

Dad amazed me when he laid under cars to fix them, or had his head under a car
hood for hours. He learned out of interest and necessity, as we couldn't afford any
other fix. He taught any guy who would listen about how to go to a placed called
"U Wrench It" for spare car parts. He was known in our neighborhood as a guy
who could pull out a fender bender with his hand.

He was also tough. Once when the neighbors were having a wild party when we
could hear things crashing, he stormed in there and chased all the party crashers
out. Another time a neighborhood teenager was peeking in our windows. Dad ran
him down, tackled him, reported him to police and requested that his father, who
was well off and well known, take care of him. Dad was anxious for our entire
well being right to the end. The day before he died he wanted specific details about
what was wrong with Fred's car.

Dad had a crusty but kind attitude. On the same previous day before he passed he
told me "I am so sorry you had to put up with me." then he thought a while and
said "And I with you!" Wasn't that the truth?

So today Jon, Jeff, Sheri and Pat went with me to pick out a casket, purchase
flowers and do financial details. It wasn't fun, but it was the least I could do, or
the only thing I could do for my dear husband and our Dad.

We had a good life together, and that's something we talked about a lot. Dad
wanted to be sure that I would be loved and taken care of.

As he was leaving us, we sang to him "You Are My Sunshine", "Swing Low,
Sweet Chariot", "Amazing Grace" and other songs. We said the Lord's Prayer and
the 23rd Psalm. We prayed and I was honored to anoint our Dad with oil making
a large cross on his head. Jeff Schultz, our pastor, was with us to help us through
this difficult time. The Chaplain at Mercy Hospital put a prayer blanket on him. A
lady had prayed over it as she knitted it. The blanket is dark green, and I kept it as
a remembrance of the battles in Dad's life that he constantly had to fight, and for
all his pain and suffering.

I remember the good and sweet times, pictures that are planted in my mind. I
remember especially the time he appeared on my porch in the winter wearing his
new grey top coat and the white silk scarf I gave him for Christmas. His skin was
pink from the cold, he had long dimples set on a big smile, bright strong teeth, and
in his hands he held a present for me.

My honey, he has a sweet and compassionate heart under all that armor.

And I say he HAS not he HAD because I love him and as far as I'm concerned he
lives with Jesus and he waits for me, and rejoices with those who have gone before
him.

Moments before Jim passed away, he kissed me like he was a very young man
again. I guess the things of love can never be lost. That is not possible for those
who have really loved, and for those who have been loved.

Our lessons learned do not happen as they did when we were growing up. Our
lessons in adulthood take years. I am willing to wait those years, as I realize that
love is for always. May the Lord bless Dad and his children and me too!

(Jim was a Member of a Hawaiian Barbershop Chapter. In the mid to later years, of the Pamper Camper, we used to do a Hawaiian Skit.)
Jim was certainly a help to me in doing Hawaiian Music at the Pamper Camper!

Gerry Mohr

From 2011 Annual Show Program:

In Memoriam

Sometimes boisterous, sometimes humble - you usually knew when Jim was around. It wasn't hard to find out what he thought about any topic. One thing went without question; Jim loved to sing. He spoke often about singing with his mother and sisters. He performed with his mother on the radio in Central Illinois when he was a young lad. While stationed in Hawaii, Jim got hooked on barbershop music. He spoke of sitting in his car to use the cassette tape player to learn his part for the chorus songs ... with the windows up and the air conditioner running for privacy and comfort. Jim joined our chapter in 1988 and became an integral part of the lead section and several quartets, including Simple Melody. He got involved in the chapter organization and extended his involvement in the larger barbershop organization through the St. Louis Area Council and the Central States District where he became a Vice President.

Jim's funeral was a celebration of his life as a devoted family man who gave of himself in many ways. He and Claudia raised seven children. He was involved in many civic and church related endeavors through the years. An orchestra, consisting mainly of relatives, provided music. And, of course, there was barbershop. A remembrance of commitment to family and others was a celebration of a full life – enhanced by music.