Jay graduated from Victoria High School in 1961. During that time, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout—successfully conquering Philmont, thriving at jamborees, and proving early on that he enjoyed both adventure and good company. He was also a recipient of the DeMolay Meritorious Service Award. Jay attended the University of Texas before graduating from the University of North Texas. He later served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and proudly held the honorary title of Admiral in the Texas Navy, a distinction he often enjoyed mentioning just often enough.
Jay shared 57 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Barbara Jessel Lack. Together they raised four exceptional children: Josh (and wife Jill), Jared (and wife Carolyn), Andy, and Lara. Jay was especially proud of his grandchildren—Sam, Sarah, Benjamin, and Dylan—who, in his opinion, made an already perfect life even better, not just because they all share his love of fishing and ice cream for breakfast.
Jay is also survived by a wonderfully large and lively family, including siblings Susan and Bill Martin, Jack and Peggy Jessel, Joe Cohen, Melvin and Jane Lack, Gayle Cannon, Michelle and Lyndel Gibson, Barbara Feldman, Richard and Joy Pulaski, Linda Pulaski, and Barry and Rebecca Pulaski. Jay also shared an incredibly close relationship with several of his nieces and nephews, including Rebecca Massey, Brandon Lack, Jessica and Tyler Jones, Paige and Russell Newman, Will and Hannah Martin, Phillip Jessel, Stuart Smith, and Shelly Hendry, and so many more cousins, nieces, and nephews that listing them all might require its own publication.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Becky Lack; stepmothers, Rosalie Feldman Lack and Ruth Pulaski Lack; brothers, Herbert Lack, Larry Lack, Ronnie Feldman, and Joseph Pulaski; and in-laws, Joe and Dorothy Jessel. He was also preceded in death by John Roberts and Lester Smith, who he considered brothers.
Jay was deeply committed to his community. He was a member of the Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. His civic service included leadership roles with Gulf Bend MHMR, the YMCA, and as President of the Victoria Independent School District Board. He was one of the co-founders of the Texas–Georgia Bocce Classic (yes, that’s a thing—and yes, it was competitive), a longtime member of the Coastal Conservation Association, and a generous supporter of the Port O’Connor Library, Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department, and the Victoria Symphony Society.
Jay was a past President of B’nai Israel Congregation in Victoria. He was especially proud of sending hundreds of Victoria World History High Schoolers to visit the Holocaust Museum in Houston to enhance their awareness of anti-Semitism.
An entrepreneur at heart, Jay owned and operated Lack’s Furniture and founded Triple D Security, along with several real estate ventures, including developing the Woodway and North Park Estate subdivisions. One of his favorite “jobs,” however, was playing Santa Claus each year—showing up unannounced at friends’ homes dressed as Santa to deliver gifts and spread cheer (and occasionally confusion).
Jay’s larger-than-life personality made everyone feel welcome, heard, and important. He never met a stranger. Always willing to listen and never shy to share his opinion or offer advice, sometimes unsolicited, but if he gave you a hard time, you knew he cared. He cherished his work family at Triple D Security—especially Jeri Alvarez, Tomi Poss, Dannie Davis, and Arnold Lewis. When not keeping everyone on their toes at the office, Jay could be found on the golf course with Ron Willms, on annual golf trips with Leonard Gietz, David Robinson, David Engel, and Robert Loeb, or in the card room playing pitch with Chris Thompson, Barry Hartman, Ben Heilker, Jim Stofer, Lee Swearingen, and Tim Pannell.
Weekends often meant Port O’Connor—fishing, relaxing, or sitting on the porch with Joe, Fred, and John, cocktail in hand, solving the world’s problems (or at least discussing them thoroughly).
The family would especially like to thank Lee Keeling, Katherine McHaney, Constable David Thomas, Dr. Guillermo Silva, Dr. Eloy Cavazos, Dr. Steve Rosenbaum, and Dr. Clyde Walrod. We absolutely cannot forget Dr. Harvey Resnick, Jay’s best friend and always on call doctor.
Jay lived fully, laughed often, gave generously, and left behind a community and family that are better for having known him. With this in mind, we ask that donations be made to the Victoria YMCA (1806 N Nimitz, Victoria, TX 77901), Victoria Symphony Society (405 E Loma Vista Ave, Victoria, TX 77901), Temple B’Nai Israel (PO Box 2346, Victoria, TX 77902) and the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department (PO Box 732, Port O'Connor, TX 77982).
He will be deeply missed—and fondly remembered with a smile.
