Jay Prucha

Jay (Joyce Justus) Prucha, of Oklahoma City, a true gentleman, passed peacefully into his Savior's arms, surrounded by his loving family, on March 15, 2011, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jay was born in Kramer, Nebraska, on June 27, 1920, to Ella and Joseph Prucha. Jay first stepped into the working world at the Crete Creamery and then began his 47-year professional career with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, seving as an associate and in many other capacities throughout the country. He was the embodiment of loyalty, decency and hard work, always extending a helping hand to his fellow man. Jay met the love of his life, Zoe Harvey, on a blind date in Omaha, Nebraska. They married eight months later in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with a wedding day full of crazy mishaps, including a wintry blizzard, a wedding ring lost in a three-foot snow drift and a car accident enroute to the ceremony which could have forestalled their wedding, but the hand of God was not to be denied. With His blessing, their wedding took place on February 19, 1949, heralding in 62 years of love and adventure. From their union came two adored daughters, Connie and Peggy. Jay was known by all for his Christian faith, his deep love for his family, his dapper dress and his old world manners. He possessed a heart of gold and was the personification of kindness and gentility, always taking time to inquire about the health and well-being of others. No words can express the sense of loss we feel over the passing of our beloved husband and father, one of the finest men ever to walk the earth. Jay was a lifelong Lutheran and was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City. He served very actively in Lutheran churches in multiple cities as well as in the Rotary Club, the American Red Cross and Junior Achievement. Jay and Zoe loved to travel, both stateside and abroad, but Jay's love for his home towns of Kramer and Crete, Nebraska, always endured. He will be remembered in services on March 21, 2011, at the Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete, Nebraska, and laid to rest in Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions of love be sent to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Jay was predeceased by his mother, his father and his brothers Doyle and Lloyd. He is survived by his wife Zoe of the home, daughter Connie and husband Dr. John Gutierrez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, daughter Peggy Prucha of Oklahoma City, grandson Damon Gutierrez, wife Yvette and family of Albuquerque, New Mexico, sister Donna Valenta and family of Omaha, Nebraksa, sister-in-aw Fay Luce of Milan, Illinois and brother-in-law Fred Harvey of Omaha, Nebraska, and beloved family friend Dr. MA Thompson of Oklahoma City. And last but not least, his adored pets over the years, Dandy, Willie, Abby, Mattie Mae and Gus, who provided Jay with countless hours of joy. Jay will forever remain in our hearts and minds in everything we see and experience...''I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar placesThat this heart of mine embrces all day throughIn that small cafe, the park across the wayThe children's carousel, the chestnut trees, the wishing well I'll be seeing you in every lovely Summer's day In everything that's light and gayI'll always think of you that wayI'll find you in the morning sunAnd when the night is newI'll be looking at the moonBut I'll be seeing you...''