Jay E. Muma, 85, of Eagle, NE, died peacefully at Bryan East Hospital on August 9, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Jay was a loving husband and head of the family. He always provided support and lead the “Muma huddle” right up to the last day of his life.
He was born in Lincoln, NE on April 7, 1938, to George and Esther (Lee) Muma, the third of five children. His family moved to Chadron, NE, where Jay grew-up and graduated from Chadron Prep High School in 1956. He participated in all sports and was an All-State basketball player that won the C-1 State Championship in 1955.
He began his college education at Mississippi Southern University, in Hattiesburg, MS, where he was on the basketball team for one season before transferring to Chadron State College. Jay received a BS degree in education, and later a master’s degree in education from Chadron State College.
While at Chadron State, Jay met his future wife Joyce Baker of Wheatland, WY. Joyce was the “best-looking cheerleader on the Chadron State Squad” and was the love of Jay’s life. She was his most loyal fan and continued to cheer Jay on for many years after his college playing days were over.
Jay Muma started his career in Stuart, NE, after marrying Joyce on December 23, 1960. Three years later, Jay and Joyce moved to Howells, NE, in 1963, and Schuyler, NE, in 1966. After a runner up finish in 1967, Jay coached the Schuyler Central “Jolly Green Giants” to the Nebraska High School State Championship in 1968, one of Jay’s many cherished moments. He often reminisced and told stories that always centered around the players. He truly valued the experiences and times he spent with them. The 1968 Schuyler State Championship Team and their Coach Jay Muma were inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 2018.
Following his high school coaching career, he coached three years at Platte Community College, Columbus, NE until 1976. Jay continued his professional career as an administrator and served as principal at Onawa, IA, Lexington, Stapleton, Red Cloud, and Basset, NE. His positive attitude and infectious personality were legendary. Jay enjoyed his students and teachers, and he was a tremendous influence on countless students and teachers throughout his 40-year career.
After retiring in 2000, Jay never missed an opportunity to compete. He enjoyed playing cards with his regular group at many venues around Lincoln including the local Hy-Vee. He and Joyce played golf at their home course Woodland Hills nearly every day and made the occasional trip to the casino. His passion for sports continued through his grandchildren’s activities as well as watching nearly every Nebraska Cornhusker sports team. Even in his last days, he was asking people who visited him in the hospital for their predictions on the upcoming Husker Football season.
Some of Jay’s words of encouragement:
Defense, you gotta love it
Go home and eat some beans
( Insert your name ) followed by “boy”
example: “Ol Ty boy is playing QB!” ( raised eye brows for expression )
“Hey, Hey, Trofholz boy, wrist, wrist, bend that wrist, more wrist!” (while demonstrating the follow through )
“Stych man, thanks for your friendship”
“Hey Chad boy, what is Big Ed, Corndog and Woehrlebird doing out there?”
Another aspect to his teaching career involved teaching Driver’s Ed. He was always quick to mention, “ Do not forget the cookies.” Lots of malts and ice cream helped get the new drivers through the class. He later worked at Nebraska Safety Council and SCC, instructing new drivers on the finer points of parking lot etiquette at Lincoln East. He preferred everyone learning to drive in a controlled space before hitting the open roads. He taught another generation of new drivers around Lincoln until 2015. Many students were the children of his former high school students. Everyone hoped they were assigned to Mr. Muma’s class. That is how he kept up on all of us.
Besides his passion for education and coaching, Jay’s family was his number one priority and extremely important to him. Jay and Joyce had five children, ten grandchildren and one great-grand son. Jay encouraged and coached all his children to work hard, study hard, and of course, participate in athletics. He would coach and cheer on his children and did not miss one of their sporting events which included basketball, football, cross country, track and golf. He loved it all.
Jay is preceded in death by his mother and father, George and Esther Muma, and his brother Charlie Muma.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce, and his children, Lenny (Bonnie LaFemina) Muma of Naples, Florida, Mitch Muma of Lexington, NE, Becky Lemon Muma of Omaha, NE, Chad (Kerri Thomsen) Muma of Hickman, NE and KayCee (and Dan) Neil of Lincoln, NE, his grandchildren Chase (Lisa Herman) Muma and Libby (Adrian Dimitrov) Muma, Dallon and Sadye Lemon, Madison, Jenna, Kylie and Owen Muma, and Thomas and Sammi Neil, his great grandson, Theo Dimitrov, his siblings Georgia (Carl Vondra) and Richard Muma (Lavonne Campbell) and Mary Ann Spearman.
Jay will forever be remembered as a loving husband and father. He will also be remembered as a great coach, teacher, friend, and mentor to so many.
Memorial service will be announced soon.
In Lieu of flowers, any memorials in Jay’s honor are suggested to the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame.
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