Dr. James E. Jay

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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,...

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.