Robert Lewis Jay, 80, passed from this life on Saturday, August 20, 2016 surrounded by family.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 27th, at the First Baptist Church of Eldorado.
Fellowship with family and friends will follow immediately in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
Graveside service will be at 4:30 p.m. at Eldorado Cemetery.
Robert was born March 23, 1936 in Robert Lee, Texas, the only son of loving parents Virginia Ethel (Williams) and Sam Ritch Jay. He attended school in Robert Lee while honing his swimming, hunting and fishing skills along his beloved Colorado River. At the beginning of his junior year, he moved to San Angelo, Texas to further his training in music as a trombone player. He graduated from Lake View High School in 1954 where he also met a beautiful twirler, Pansie Marie Castello. They married on Christmas Eve of 1954 and were married for 62 blessed years. Robert attended Sul Ross University on a music scholarship where in 1958 he received a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in music, and was a member of several honor fraternities. He continued his education during summers as he began a teaching career in Robert Lee, later receiving a master’s degree in science education with honors from Texas A&M University. In 1960, he took a job teaching science and math at Eldorado High School where he served for 21 years as a teacher and high school principal.
In 1981, Robert & Pansie moved to Midland, Texas where Robert began work at Blaylock Geophysical with cousin, Steve Blaylock. Eight years later, Robert was wooed back by former students to once again teach upper level science and math at Eldorado High School. He retired from teaching in 2002 after 36 years in education, and then served on the school board for many years.
Music was a large part of Robert’s life even after college, playing in dance bands, jazz band, the San Angelo Symphony, and the San Angelo Community Band. He played his trombone until his health would no longer allow it. He was also passionate about airplanes as evidenced by his large “airplane room” filled with model and radio-controlled airplanes he built and flew, as well as holding a license as a private pilot.
Robert was a Christian man, devoted husband, revered father, grandfather & great-grandfather, and beloved teacher. He was a life-long student taking classes at colleges or trade schools most of his life. He considered an idle mind or idle hands a waste of time which benefitted family and friends with a treasure trove of woodworking, leatherworking, R/C model airplanes, music lessons, tennis lessons/trophies and more. He leaves behind a legacy of grandchildren that learned many of these crafts by spending memorable hours with “Pops.” A man of few words, but great character and principle, Robert will be dearly missed.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Pansie; son, Benjie Jay and wife Donna of Crane, Texas; daughters, Gynna Harlin and husband Billy Bob of Burleson, Texas, Sammye Duncan and husband Drue of Whitney, Texas, and Jolynn Bell and husband Tye of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren Cody Jay, John (Melissa) Jay, Amber Jay, Clayton Harlin (fiance’ Amelinda Jaramillo), Clifton Harlin (fiance’ Shelby Stripling), Clinton Harlin, Levi (Hayley) Duncan, Jaclynn Duncan (fiance’ John Sparks), Cullen (Kalyn) Duncan, Jennifer Clintsman (Sam) Dow, Courtney Clintsman; great grandchildren, Jacey & Kaci Jay, Delaney Duncan & Cayden Duncan.
T
he family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association 2630 West Freeway, Suite 100, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 or the charity of your choice.
