Giles Jay, 83, of Grinnell, died in the arms of his loving wife and surrounded by family on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell with Fr. Ron Hodges presiding. Interment will be in Hazelwood Cemetery, Grinnell, with military honors. A luncheon will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell. A vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church followed by a visitation from 5-8 p.m. Memorials may be designated to St. Mary’s Catholic Church Capital Campaign Fund or to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Giles Keith Jay was born Sept. 16, 1934, in Lynnville, the son of Bernard Homer and Ruth Deborah (White) Jay. He was raised and educated in Lynnville.
Giles honorably served his country in the United States Navy from 1952-1956 during the Korean War. Feb. 1, 1958, Giles was united in marriage to Tomma Lou Smith in Melcher. To this union the couple was blessed with six children. They raised their family in Grinnell.
Giles was a barber and later owned Sanitary Barber Shop that is now Headquarters. He worked for Blom and Criswell Painting as well as working many side jobs on his own. Giles was a longtime member of the Grinnell Fire Department and later was a full-time driver for the department. He was also a dispatcher at the Grinnell Police Department. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grinnell Eagles, Grinnell American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and Iowa Fireman’s Association.
Giles dearly loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He had busy hands and spent countless hours tinkering, fixing things, and woodworking. He was also an outdoorsman who loved traveling, camping, and backyard campfires. His enjoyments included visiting with and picking on friends and family and attending fire conventions.
Giles is survived by his wife of 60 years, Tomma Lou Jay of Grinnell; his children, Shelby (Mark) Dolash of Ferguson, Michael (Tina) Jay of Brainerd, MN, Deb (Doug) Dop of Cleveland, TN, Keith (Raejeana) Jay of Colorado Springs, CO, Kent (Kymi) Jay of Clive, and Deeanna (Tim) Sparks of Lynnville; 26 grand-children; 23 great-grandchildren; brother, Max (Verla) Jay of Newton; sister, Patricia Pettingill of Waukon; and brother-in-law, HL (Kathy) Smith of Livingston, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ray and Richard Jay.
