Curtis "Jay" Hilsenbeck, Jr.

Born to Curtis Jay Hilsenbeck, Sr and Maria Stella Virginia Hilsenbeck (née Valdez) on October 5, 1978, in Englewood, CO. From the very beginning, Jay lived fully and intentionally, embracing life with joy, curiosity, and generosity of spirit.

Jay loved deeply and without reservation. Nowhere was this more evident than in his marriage to his beloved wife Kelly Hilsenbeck (née Baker). Together, they built a life filled with laughter, adventure, and deep devotion. This life was grounded not in waiting for “someday”, but in choosing happiness every day. Their home, their travels, and the countless shared moments, stands as lasting proof of a love that was extraordinary and enduring.

Jay knew how to live well. He traveled widely, savored good wine and carefully crafted cocktails, and claimed Saturdays, especially college football, as sacred time. He appreciated pizza, negroni, iced mochas from Starbucks, celebrated milestones with zeal, and showed those around him how to enjoy life generously and without hesitation.

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Jay was head of Global Product Management and North America Marketing for Arxada. Early in Jay's career, he was a Senior Research Chemist at what was then-Arch Wood Protection, holding roles in Value Chain, Product/Pricing Management, and Marketing. He held a position on the Executive Committee of the American Wood Protection Association and was also appointed to the Board of Directors for Arxada’s joint venture with Quimetal in Chile.

To his family, Jay was an anchor. He made people feel seen, valued, and deeply loved. His thoughtfulness and quiet attentiveness left an indelible mark on those closest to him, and his presence brought a sense of warmth and steadiness that will be profoundly missed. He had a sense of humor and quick wittiness that made people laugh. He loved Bugs Bunny cartoons and would recite the lines which he knew by heart.

Jay is survived by his wife Kelly, his parents Curtis (Susan Olsen) and Stella Hilsenbeck; his sisters Natalie Hilsenbeck (Guy Zublin) and their daughter, Alina Lea of Boulder, Colorado; and Jacqueline Fajardo (Michael James Fajardo, Sr) along with their son Michael James Fajardo, Jr., of Newark, Delaware and daughter Anais Katarina Zistl (Sam) of Greeley, Colorado. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Patty Reckner (David) of New Centerville, Pennsylvania; his sister-in-law Amy Baker Timmins (William) and their children Joshua and Milo of Stockton, California; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, primarily in Colorado and Illinois.

Jay’s life mattered. The love he gave to his wife, his family, and his friends was real and lasting. He will be remembered not only for how much he was loved, but for how fully and generously he loved in return.

A funeral service will be held in his honor at H.M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill, located at 4550 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30319. The service is scheduled for December 22, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Following the service, a reception will take place at the same venue from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society in honor and memory of Jay’s life.