Dr. James E. Jay

Dr. James E. Jay passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020. He was born September 13, 1934, in Ben Hill County, (Fitzgerald) Georgia, to the late Joseph and Pennie Mae Jay. James attended elementary and high school in Irwin County, Georgia. During elementary school, he walked four miles to school and four miles back home each school day. He graduated from Ocilla Industrial High School in 1953 in a class of thirteen. James decided at an early age he wanted to go to college. His reason was to get away from two mules, a plow and a cotton sack. He enrolled at Tuskegee Institute in September of 1953 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957.

After graduating from Tuskegee Institute, James took a teaching position in his home state of Georgia. His new job lasted only three months. James was drafted into the US Army and sent to Germany for two years. After fulfilling his military duty, he was awarded an Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

In 1959, the year he was discharged from the Army, he went to Detroit, Michigan to seek employment. He obtained three temporary jobs, none were self-satisfying. In 1960 he returned to Georgia in order to fill the teaching position he had before entering the military. During the summer of 1962, James returned to Tuskegee Institute for the purpose of enrolling in a master's degree program and to look for a wife. That summer, he met a beautiful, intelligent and dignified young lady, Joyce Dean Williams. James knew Joyce was the woman for him and two years later they were married. To this union, they were blessed with a son, Dr. Jonathan Jay, and a daughter, Joye Jay Crum.

In 1968, James went back to Tuskegee University and completed his Masters of Science Degree in 1970. Education was a priority for James, so he continued his journey and attended Michigan State University where he graduated with a Ph.D. in 1974.

Dr. Jay had a very successful professional career: Teacher of Vocational Agriculture, Pearson and Sandersville, Georgia; Coordinator of Vocational Education, Central Michigan University; Director of Teacher Education, Tuskegee University. Dr. Jay matriculated through roles of greater scope and responsibility at Michigan State University, including Professor, Assistant Dean, Director of Academic and Student Affairs, Assistant Vice Provost for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State Agricultural Experiment Station, Michigan State University Extension Program. In the later part of his career, he established a Study Abroad Program in Southern Africa. James retired from Michigan State University in 2001.

Dr. Jay was preceded in death by his lovely and beautiful wife of 39 years, Dr. Joyce W. Jay; parents, Joseph and Pennie Mae Jay, Brother Clifton Jay. He leaves many memories to cherish: two wonderful children, of whom he was very proud, Dr. Jonathan Jay of Naples, Fl and Joye J. (Demetris) Crum of Lake Villa, IL; two sisters, Mildred Manley of Detroit, MI and Carolyn Guy of Macon, GA; two grandchildren, Joycelyn Crum and Jasmine Jay; special sister-in-law, Bernice Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, and lifetime friends and Michigan State University colleagues.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 30, at 10 am in Sandersville, G.A., arrangements by M.C. Smith Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal from Jul. 25 to Jul. 28, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for James Jay

17 Entries

Carolyn.Maxwell

July 19, 2024

I miss conversations with this phenomenal man. Dr. Jay was a great conversationalist and listener. He shared the most inspirational stories about his upbringing. Jay is deeply missed.

CAROLYN MAXWELL

November 17, 2020

I was blessed to meet Dr. James Jay 14 to 16 years ago. He was such a phenomenal man who impacted by life so prolifically with his passion for living a purpose driven life, his innate thirst for knowledge, and stories about his childhood. I was so inspired by Dr. Jay's childhood experiences that I had begun to pen on paper a biography of his life that I was weaving into a biographical children's tale or front porch story that I hoped he would help me complete. He was a man who loved his wife with the kind of love that transcends times immemorial and even the parameters/perimeters of death. I always hoped that I would still have just one more chat with this magnificent man because he fueled within me that insatiable desire to live, listen, and learn from a man who was A Master Teacher. Comments made by Carolyn Maxwell, Naples, Florida 11/17/2020.

Ayele Solomon

August 20, 2020

I was part of Dr. Jay's annual trip to Southern Africa at MSU in 1998. In recent years we would speak by phone, not often, once or twice a year. As I was looking forward to our usual lively discussion today, I learned of his passing. I miss him, he was a great man, visionary, teacher and inspiration to me.

Melvin L Johnson (Pookie)

August 13, 2020

Rip Mr Jay. Jonathan and I use to play together as kids when you and the family lived in Sandersville Ga. I will always remember the beautiful spirit of you and your wife.

Eunice Foster

August 13, 2020

Dr. James E. Jay was a friend and colleague. He assisted all students during his tenure as the first Black assistant dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU). He was a visionary who conceived of and created the Office of Diversity and Pluralism in CANR. He served as the first and only Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity and Pluralism, having responsibility for diversity efforts in CANR, the MSU Agricultural Experiment Station (now AgBioResearch), and the MSU Cooperative Extension Service (now MSU-Extension). At various times during his career at MSU, he played a role in diversity efforts involving pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate students and in faculty and staff hiring. He positively affected many lives. He will be missed greatly.

Edith J BradfordWaller

August 3, 2020

Condolences to the Jay Family. I met Dr. James Jay while teaching at Everett High School in Lansing, Mi. I worked with his beautiful and wise wife Joyce Jay. I was honored to meet him and work with Joyce. May the Lord Bless their children, Jonathan and Joye.

Jeffrey Counseller

July 30, 2020

Jonathan and Joye,
I was so sorry to hear of you father’s passing. Your Dad was the perfect neighbor to my parents. There are not enough thank-yous for his acts of kindness to them over the years. Personally, no visit to Michigan was complete without being able to spend 30 minutes talking with Dr. Jay. Even after my Mom moved, I would drive by Rice Court hoping to catch him out for a chance conversation. His perspective and approach to life was always revealing, raw and straightforward, everything I appreciate. I am sorry that a man like your father is no longer able to share his wisdom and experiences. I know that you will miss him every day. Rest assured that he is healed and with your Mom watching over all of you.

Nicole Webster

July 30, 2020

Dr. Jay you were a source of strength and support during my time at Michigan State. Your words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and pebbles of wisdom were always appreciated and valued. Your vision for inclusion was far ahead of your time and the many graduate students' lives you touched were due to your persistence, understanding and patience. Thank you. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Marjorie Powell

Planted Trees

Carmen (Price) Redwine

July 29, 2020

Jonathan and family,
Sending my condolences and deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Bettye Thomas-Gilkey

July 28, 2020

Dr Jay you were a phenomenal individual who was exceptionally proud of your lovely bride Dr Joyce Jay whom you revered highly without reservation. I don’t believe you ever got over her loss and now you are reunited once again! Rest peacefully dear friend. The MSU COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD IN GENERAL IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE YOU TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES in grand fashion❣

Clinton Scott

July 28, 2020

Dr. Jay was a good caring man. He would make time for me, even when he being rushed to a meeting. He was a serious advocate for completing your education. I really appreciated his encouragement, and patience that he displayed. I will say he was the best dean in the world. He will be missed greatly. Thanks from all of us you've helped, and what you have accomplished. RIP sir.

Stephanie Whiteside

July 28, 2020

Dr. Jay was there for me during my time at MSU. He advised so many African American students that were bounced from the College of Business and steered to the College of Agriculture under the Public Affairs Management Program. He was our advisor and kept many of us from being bounced from MSU altogether. Years after I graduated from MSU we would see each other in Lansing and we would talk the days in Ag. He was a definite role model and highly respected. My prayers to his children and those left to cherish his memories.

Marcus Jones

July 28, 2020

My prayers and deepest condolences to the family of Dr. James E Jay. He was truly a man of great respect and knowledge. Disciplined in action and thought and expected nothing less from those within his circle of influence.

May he rest in eternal peace

Marcus Jones & Family

Tama D Carter

July 28, 2020

I met Dr. Jay in 1995 and I thank God I was allowed to meet such a gentle giant, with a heart of gold. Dr. Jay allowed me to participate in a trip to South Africa through the MSU overseas study program which was life changing. What a wonderful guy. WELL DONE!!!!!

Deborah Sudduth

July 27, 2020

Dear Jay Family,

Sending my condolences and prayers for you. Dr. Jay was someone I enjoyed discussing what was happening at MSU after he retired. He was a gentle giant and cared deeply for minorities at MSU.

May you rest well sir and your family cherish all the memories you have of him.

Mark Bitman

July 26, 2020

Dear Family:

I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Jay while I worked at Michigan State University. I really appreciated his commitment to the College of Agriculture and will remember him always!

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