He was born in Corsicana, Texas on February 7, 1941. Jay graduated from Sunset High School, received his Bachelor's degree from Austin College, and attended seminary at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He was married to Joyce Paul on March 24, 1984.
Jay was a pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Plano before becoming a chaplain for the Plano Police Department. He later helped develop the SCORE program for the Collin County Sheriff's Department and continued to work in the drug rehabilitation field until his retirement. Jay had a passion for his friends and family, reading, learning, music, nature, and his rescued dogs and cats.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, his son Collin, his daughter-in-law Jamie, his daughter Meghan, his daughter-in-law Anya, and his granddaughter Bailey.
A remembrance of life will be held at Poor Richard's Cafe (2442 K Ave, Plano, TX 75074) on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m
