James "Jay" Roe Beatley Jr.

James Roe ‘Jay’ Beatley, Jr. passed away on September 2, 2023, at Wesley Woods, New Albany. He was born January 2, 1941 in Columbus, Ohio to Dorothy Elizabeth and James Roe Beatley, Sr. He is survived by his beloved son, Jacob Russell ‘Jake’ Beatley, of Columbus. Jay graduated from Columbus South High School in 1958. In 1962, he graduated from The Ohio State University (B.A.), where he became a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In 1965, Jay graduated from The Ohio State University College of Law (J.D), where he served as an editor of The Ohio State Law Journal and was admitted to the Order of the Coif honorary society. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to Hon. Julius J. Hoffman, U.S. District Judge at Chicago, who later presided over the trial of The Chicago Seven. In 1967, Jay returned to Columbus to begin a career, initially as a litigator and then as a business lawyer, with the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, from which he retired as partner as of January 1, 2007. Following retirement, he continued to maintain an office at Vorys where he managed a family business, and community interests and enjoyed associating with colleagues and friends. Jay was admitted to the Ohio Bar and the District of Columbia Bar and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the Columbus, Ohio State and American Bar Associations. Jay served for over twenty years as a trustee of the Kappa Sigma House Company and, for many years, as its president. A loyal Buckeye, he was a member of The O.S.U. President’s Club, was a life member of The O.S.U. Alumni Association, and was a devoted fan of The O.S.U. football and basketball teams. Jay was a long-time member of The Athletic Club of Columbus and of the Zanesfield Rod & Gun Club. He was a member of Rose Run Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon and in other capacities. He was a member of the Charity Newsies and was a past president and trustee of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Leukemia Society. Among Jay’s other interests over the years were hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, and managing the farm he owned for over twenty years in Delaware County, Ohio.

Jay asked that his obituary borrow this message from Rev. Keith Conning: ‘If you read somewhere that I have died, don’t believe it; I am simply experiencing another phase of God’s grace. ‘ Friends may call on Thursday, September 7th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Schoedinger Northeast 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. Gahanna. A service celebrating the life of Jay Beatley will immediately follow. Rev. Bob Armstrong officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Charity Newsies, Rose Run Presbyterian Church, Wesley Woods Hospice or a charity of your choice are suggested. To offer condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.