Jay Ferguson Carr

Jay Ferguson Carr, 81, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 14, 2025, in his home surrounded by his family. Jay was a family man in the truest sense - a loving husband and father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle, a father figure to many and a kind and loving man who listened, gave wise counsel and created a sense of community in all aspects of his personal and professional life.

Jay was born on March 18,1944 in Lancaster, Ohio, son of the late John P. and Martha (Ferguson) Carr. He considered Elkins, West Virginia, where he spent his formative teenage years, to be his hometown. Jay, fondly known to friends as "Fergie," was the local star of the Elkins High basketball team and was a DJ on his family's radio station, WDNE. Jay attended the College of Wooster in Ohio, where he played basketball and was president of his fraternity. There, he met his lifelong partner, Carol Louise Hackler, whom he married in 1968.

Upon graduating from the Wharton School of Business, Jay began a 33-year career with The Hershey Company. Starting in the field as a market analyst, he soon assumed the role of Brand Manager, and eventually became Vice President of Marketing, where he oversaw the launch of the now-iconic "Give Me a Break" campaign for Kit Kat. A career highlight was growing the Hershey's Track & Field Youth Program, which brought hundreds of children from across the nation to Hershey to compete in an annual meet where he served as the program emcee. Jay later served as President of Hershey Grocery and Pasta Division and President of Hershey International. Following his retirement in 2003, Jay continued to share his wisdom and leadership by serving on the boards of Bush Brothers and Herr Foods. For Jay, Hershey was more than just a company; it was family, and his time there was defined less by his professional success than by the enduring friendships he developed and treasured.

Jay was deeply committed to his Hershey community and his life was enriched by the friendships built and his active involvement there. He was a member of Derry Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder and on numerous committees. He coached his children's youth sports teams, was a member of the Kiwanis Club and sat on the Board of Directors at the Mohler Senior Center. Jay enjoyed playing cards, tennis and family camping.

In retirement Jay and Carol traveled the world and enjoyed birding with friends, but it was Bethany Beach, Delaware, that held his heart. Jay and Carol built a home that became a cherished gathering place for extended family and friends. Jay cared deeply for the Seabreak community and its residents, earning the affectionate nickname "the Mayor" for his habit of strolling the beach, stopping to chat with every neighbor.

Jay's greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted and loving husband to Carol for 57 years, a loving father to two children, Kristen Ross (Michael Majhess) and Chad Carr (Katrina Stanislaw), and a proud grandfather to three beloved grandchildren, Ainsley, Graham and Calum. He cherished his close relationships with his nieces and nephews.

Jay's legacy is one of leadership, generosity, and love. He will be remembered for his loving presence as a father, grandfather, uncle and friend, and for his kind spirit, laughter, humor and the joy he brought to everyone around him.

A memorial service will be celebrated on Friday, August 22, at 11:00am at The Derry Presbyterian Church, 248 East Derry Road in Hershey, immediately followed by a reception celebrating Jay's life at The Hotel Hershey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Derry Presbyterian Church or The Carr Family Endowment at Penn State Health and College of Medicine, which provides critical oncology research on Lynch Syndrome. Gifts may be made online at engage.pennstatehealth.org or alternatively may be mailed to Penn State Health, Office of University Development and Alumni Relations, MC CA530, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852. Please include Carr Family Endowment in the memo/designation line.