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BORN
1961
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
JAMES TOLBERT Obituary
Jay, oldest of 4 children, lived larger than life. Spending his childhood in Virginia, his family moved to New Orleans, LA in 1976. There he continued martial arts training, eventually becoming a fifth degree black belt in jiu jitsu and tae kwon doe. He enlisted in the United States Army where his martial arts skills were used to train many soldiers.
Coming out of the military, Jay was an inventor, creating the world's first "shoe" water ski, aptly titled Jayski, which are still used in competitive and leisure water skiing today.
Jay moved back to Virginia to be with his family in 1989. He then went on to write a book, The Book of You, open a karate school in Newport News, and was also inducted in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Akron, OH.
Jay lived to the beat of his own drum. He was the life of the party, quick to jump up and bust a move, dance floor or not. His laugh was infectious and his presence, not to be missed.
He is survived by his father, Jim Henry Tolbert Sr, his sisters, Tamara Quitko and Angela Salcido (Raul), and brother, Thomas Tolbert, as well as his daughter, Nicole Clark, along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at County Grill in Hampton on Saturday, 2/5/2022 from 1pm to 330pm. All are welcome to join. Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, Va.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JAMES TOLBERT
Sponsored by Amory Funeral Home, Inc. - Yorktown.
6 Entries
Patricia Knode
September 22, 2025
Jay, I think about you and the impact you have had on my life and the way I live, everyday. I miss you like crazy, but know that you have finally made it "HOME".
I'm secure in the knowledge that you were an angel to those whose lives you touched with your love and light.
Thank you God for Jay Tolbert.
Russ Joyner
February 4, 2022
would have liked to have met him.
Donna Langston
February 4, 2022
Scotty and I will deeply miss Jay´s infectious laugh and his excellency on the pool table. We love you Jay I hope you are showing the Angels how to put someone down with one finger without breaking a sweat or how to do the electric slide with Jay finesse!
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E
January 31, 2022
My deepest condolences. May God's Holy Spirit be with the family. I pray that he brings comfort to you all at this hard time.
Patty Locklear
January 28, 2022
I was so blessed to know Jay. He was THE bright, shining light of my life!
We was like peas and carrots.
I feel a whole in my heart, missing him.
I am grateful I have so many wonderful memories with Jay. God bless his family and friends, during this time.
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Amory Funeral Home, Inc. - Yorktown410 Grafton Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692
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