Jay Ledbetter

1946 - 2026

Clyde Jay Ledbetter, 79, of Stanford, passed away at home on February 7, 2026. Jay was born July 10, 1946 in Hastings, Nebraska to Margie (Applewhite) and Floyd Ledbetter. He attended high school in Snowflake, AZ and college in Havre, MT and Fort Collins, CO. Jay served in the US Marine Corps from July 10, 1963 to October 22, 1969.

Following his honorable discharge, he worked in several states, from Colorado to Montana in carpentry and construction. On September 23, 1995, Jay married Gail Brannock at Lake McDonald in Glacier Park.

Animals were an important part of Jay's life; he was a "Guardian of all things stray". Jay was a member of several saddle clubs in the Flathead Valley and loved to compete in horse speed events. He trained bird dogs and enjoyed bird hunting. He built remote control airplanes and was a devoted fly fisherman.

Jay is survived by his wife, Gail Ledbetter; sons, David Proctor and Michael Ruffner, who were not officially adopted but were taken in and cared for by Jay and Gail; and sister, Lucille Maxwell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Jay's body was donated to the WWAMI Medical Program at MSU. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jay's memory to the Gary Sinise Foundation for Veterans.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Jay's family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com