Jay Patrick Salter

1944 - 2023

Jay was born in Modesto, Ca. on March 14, 1944 and received his wings to ascend pain free into heaven May 8, 2023 with grace and peace at age 79. He passed in the comfort of having his devoted best friend, Donna McElroy and her daughter Tracy by his side.

“Much have we loved you… and ever has it been said that love knows not its depth,

until the hour of separation” – Kahlil Gibran

Jay attended Modesto High School and was a proud member of the original Faro’s Car Club. He continued his education at Modesto Junior College and found his true passion in becoming a self-made carpenter and master painter to establish his own maintenance business when living in Oakdale Ca. He often talked about the rewards of opening the Dry Creek Produce stand with ex-wife Judy Cornell, and her children Cheri and David Forster. They were prominent board members of the Oakdale Historical Society in the 1980’s and actively responsible for helping in the development and renovating of the current Oakdale Museum.

In 1989 Jay became a purchasing agent for Flory Industries and worked there until Company restructuring in 2003. Jay was last employed as an operations manager with W.H. Breshears, Inc. – Petroleum Marketing & Distribution.

In retirement and as a favorite past time you would find him watching car restoration shows, HGTV or This Old House and felt he learned a new trick of the trades with each episode.

In 1991 he reached out to a 1960’s high school, ‘girl next door’ friend, Donna McElroy. Together, and with her family, their adventures began and they journeyed through the next 32 years becoming “best friends” for life.

Jay was clever and talented and willing to share his knowledge and help anyone with the ‘what to do, or how to fix-it’, always giving credit to his life experiences, and love of building things. Jay was the best at making anything old new again, he appreciated the value in vintage things just as they were and treasured their history. He was a coin and eclectic antique collector, especially coke machines and gas pumps.

He will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, bighearted, hardworking and selfless man.

He was well versed in trivia and Jay’s antics were legendary and those who knew him have their own stories to tell. He loved his companion cat ‘Gabbie’.

His strong-will and tenacious spirit defines who he was, allowing him the courage, and optimism, to make every day count despite chronic back pain.

Jay is survived by Brother, Mike Salter (Betty), niece Cyndee Vorse ((Russ), nephew, Rob Salter and nephews, Steve Salter (Kym) and David Salter (Cheryl) and longtime companion, Donna McElroy, and her family, Tracy McElroy, Alyshia McElroy, Joshua and Samuel, Leann Lumpkin, Brady McElroy (Danielle) and Emma, stepdaughter, Cheri Forster, Brookings, Oregon, step-granddaughters, Kissiah and Alivia, step-grandson, Vance Forster, Jay was preceded in death by his parents Clancy and Kay Salter, brothers Bill Salter, Steve Salter and stepson David Forster.

A funeral service will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home, Hughson, Ca. on Friday, June 2, 2023 beginning at 12:30 p.m. with committal to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to a charity of choice in his name.

A reception will follow at 3505 Swain Drive, Modesto Ca. 95356.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakewoodHughson.com for the Salter family.