Douglas J. Jay

Doug was born March 1, 1955 in Leoti Kansas to Clifford and Helen (Redding) Jay, and was the youngest of 5 children. He grew up on a dairy farm in Wichita county Kansas. He became deaf, as a small child, due to medication he was given for a serious illness. He therefore only attended Elementary school for a brief time in Leoti, before continuing in Chickasha, Oklahoma, at the school for the deaf.

He then graduated from High School at Olathe Kansas state school for the deaf.

After graduation, Doug attended Meat cutting school in Rosemount Minnesota, where he was honored as being the first deaf student in the schools history.

He then moved to Denver, Colorado where he was employed as a meat cutter, and also met his future wife Lyn.

Doug and Lyn were married on May 14, 1979 in Kauai, Hawaii, at the famed Fern Grotto, and remained in the Denver area. Three years following their marriage, Doug sustained a spinal cord injury, due to a motorcycle accident, on July 9, 1982 which left him a high level quadriplegic. This did not stop him however from remaining an active and popular member of his community. Doug was extremely independent and even though he had to drive his wheelchair with his mouth, he drove it all over town. Because of his can-do attitude, he was an inspiration to many who both knew him, as well as those who didn't know him. He will be missed immeasurably.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by:

his wife Lyn, brothers Steven (wife-Pam); Rick of Phoenix, AZ; Bruce (wife-Linda) of Bakersfield, CA and sister Renee' (husband-Rick) Geyer of Tulsa, OK as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Doug's name to:

CRAIG Hospital Foundation

3425 S Clarkson St

Englewood, CO 80113