Perry Joe Jeys

Perry "Papa" Joe Jeys, 73, passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones on the morning of May 5, 2025. He will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park next to his bride, Debbie. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Papa Joe was born on January 22, 1952, in Waterloo, IA to Jack Elnathan Jeys and Cordia Jayne Jeys (Dessinger). He graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1970. He and Deborah Lee Orndoff were united in marriage on October 28, 1972 at St. John's Methodist Church in Davenport, IA. He retired from Jeys Transportation in 2020 after many years of working in the transportation industry.

Papa Joe was a kind and patient man who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, listening to all kinds of music, woodworking, being in nature, playing the guitar, and road trips with his siblings. When his kids were in school he could be found on the sidelines coaching their soccer and baseball teams, fulfilling his duties as President of the Johnson Elementary Dad’s Club, or selling concession at basketball games for the West High Athletic Boosters. Joe was famous in the Jeys family for playing his guitar around the campfire and singing Puff the Magic Dragon long into the night at the annual Jeys family reunion. Although he lost his wife Deb almost thirty years ago, just shy of their twenty fifth wedding anniversary, he never remarried and remained devoted to her memory.

Those left to cherish his memories are his son Andrew Jeys (Sara), Emily Rollins (Samuel), his six grandchildren, Molly Dang (Son), Ally Lewis, Jackson Jeys, Katin Rollins, Lucy Jeys, and Liam Rollins, his siblings, Jackie (Jeys) Braet, Phyllis (Jeys) Tumey, Jimmy Jeys, and Paul Jeys (Brenda), and several nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Debbie in 1997.

Special thanks to Papa's niece, Sara Schiller (Braet) and family friends Stephanie "Woodge" Warren and Julie Smith. Memorials may be made to the Arborday Foundation in Joe's name. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com.