Jay Donald Schlichting

Jay D. Schlichting was born August 28, 1935, in Weatherford Oklahoma and is the first born son of Ruby and Jacob Schlichting. The first thirteen years of his life he grew up working on the family farm outside of Wichita, KS. At age fourteen, his family moved to Midland, TX. He played on the district winning Bulldog football team in 1949, the year he graduated from Midland High School. Later, he attended Southwestern University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Jay worked as a draftsman at Douglas Aircraft in Los Angeles, CA, where he met his future wife, Janet Karam, the lovely California girl who swept him off his feet. With a whirlwind romance, they married at the Silver Bells Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV. They soon moved back to Midland where he worked the following 28 years in the family-owned Ozarka Water franchise. Jay was active in the Midland community. He enjoyed serving in various associations such as the Jaycees, Full Gospel Businessmen Association, and briefly served in the National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge. He served with dedication to his church, surrounding himself with quality mentors, lifelong friends, and a special group of people within the church whom he, in turn, mentored. He and Jan were foster parents for many years as they raised their young family. When his father, Jacob retired, Jay assumed full responsibility of the family business. With a dedication and vision for growth, he acquired several other local bottled water companies, building the Ampure Corporation. Jay’s industry activity led to his election as President of the American Bottled Water Association (ABWA) which under his guidance became the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). In 1985 buyers approached Jay to purchase the Ampure Corporation. This sale completed Jay’s days in the bottled water business and he focused his entrepreneurial sights on Dallas, TX. In 1990, with his passion for helping small businesses, he founded The Schlichting Group, a firm which specializes in IRS Representation and tax preparation. He became an enrolled agent from the National Tax Practice Institute and a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, Texas Society of Enrolled Agents and Plano Area Enrolled Agents. He was an ambassador for the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, a member of the SMU Mustang Club, Dallas Petroleum Club and Market Street Ministries. He spoke to many civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, Exchange Club and Rotary Clubs. Jay was a member of the Home Builders Association of Dallas, Turnaround Management Association and a compassionate sponsor of the Bishops Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Bishops Camp for inner city children in the Dallas area. His trademark radio voice was heard by thousands in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and beyond. He is best known for coining the phrase “The IRS is not your friend”. Jay’s greatest joy has come from years of helping thousands of people at every stage of his life. He was loved by family, friends, his employees and clients. Always with a keen sense of humor, he would bring laughter into the room and an assurance that everything would be all right.

Jay passed away October 3, 2014. He is survived by Jan Schlichting, his beloved wife of 57 years, his children: daughter Michelle Moseley, her husband Dwayne Moseley, residents of Wolfe City, TX; daughter JaLynn West, her husband Lance West, residents of Flower Mound, TX; son Stephen Schlichting, resident of Richardson, TX; his sister Joan Adams Holland, resident of Guyman, OK, his many loved cousins, nieces and nephews and his many friends who were like family to him.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Jacob Schlichting, his brothers, Phil and Henry Schlichting and his grandson, Patrick Moseley. May this man who brought happiness to so many people rest in peace. Funeral services will be held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, TX. Viewing will be held October 10, Friday evening, 6:00-8:00 p.m., followed by the Saturday Memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on October 11, 2014.