David Lee Jay

David Lee Jay passed away at the age of 87 on April 10, 2026, in Ellensburg, Washington. He was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania in 1939. David was the oldest son of Eleanor Jay (Bowes) and Glenn Jay. He grew into a life marked by service, dedication, and deep faith. The family moved to Garrett, Indiana when he was a young boy. 

David was a humanitarian. David's interest in helping people started with his 16 years in the Boy Scouts, earning the highest rank of Eagle Scout in 1954, and serving as an Assistant Scout Master from 1963 to 1973. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force before earning his Electrical Engineering Technology degree from Purdue University.

His professional career led him to Washington state where he got a job with Boeing and ultimately Physio-Control. David worked with commitment and integrity until retiring at the age of fifty-five after missing only 6 days of work. At Physio-Control, he was an advocate for hiring individuals with disabilities and providing aid to the underprivileged. David testified to the subcommittee for people with disabilities in Washington DC in 1986 and traveled to several states promoting hiring of them.

David was honored by his high school, Garrett High School, in 2010 for his Humanitarian achievements for their Hall of Honor. 

David volunteered to be a girls soccer coach when nobody else would take the position. Coming from Indiana, he knew nothing about soccer. He picked up a book and taught himself the game. He had many joyful years coaching his daughter’s team, the Panthers. David also enjoyed sailing, starting with a 22-foot sailboat and graduating up to a 30-foot C&C named Wind Sabre.

Faith played a significant role in David’s life. After retirement, he became increasingly active in his church community and participated in several mission trips to Honduras—experiences that brought him great purpose and joy.

David was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Audrey Jay, and sister, Amy Leeson; and his first wife, Carole Oyer, and second wife, Brenda Graesser. He is survived by his siblings Susan (Darryl) Whittington, Ted Jay, and Rebecca Jay; and by his three children, Michelle (Marty) Cramer, Kathleen (Dwayne) Douglas, Brian Jay and granddaughters Abigail, Stephanie,and Madeline.

David will be remembered for his humble spirit, his generosity, and his unwavering devotion to family, faith, and service. His legacy lives on in all who loved him.