JAY C. GROSECLOSE

JAY C. GROSECLOSE
Jay C. Groseclose, 73, the undisputed king of turning legendary, simple home repairs into epic adventures, a human jukebox of jokes, a collector of collectibles he called antiques, but most of all, being a man of great thinking and study, he was a learned authority on almost everything, carrying on a conversation for hours, left his home here on earth to join his Lord and Savior, Jesus, on February 19th, 2025. We are positive his Dad and Mom were waiting right behind Jesus.
Funeral services for Jay will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at 2:15 PM. There will be an interment at the Santa Fe National Cemetery prior to the services, at 1:30 PM.
Jay was a man whose dedication to service and unwavering integrity touched countless lives. Having a heart of gold, his priorities were God first, always giving a word of encouragement, followed by family, country, state and community. Always the comedian and trickster, Jay picked, pulled and prodded on his sisters during his home life which led to his nickname "Bother!" Jay called his dear wife, Missy, and loved her greatly. At home, he was a devoted husband and father. He was the best anyone could ask for, loving his children, involved in their everyday lives. Jay brought the same integrity and dedication to his family life that he showed in his public service. He taught the importance of giving back to the community and the power of standing up for what is right.
After graduating with honors from Goddard High School, Roswell, NM, in 1969, he attended NMSU in Las Cruces earning his bachelor's degree in civil engineering, graduating there in 1975. Jay moved to Kansas City, MO, worked for Black and Veach Engineering Firm, met Earlene Clay in 1976, and married the love of his life in Leawood, KS, on May 28th, 1977. Together, he and Earlene moved to Santa Fe, NM, in November 1980 when Jay received a job from Scanlon and Associates. While there, Jay spearheaded initiatives to modernize Santa Fe's infrastructure which led him to design the Santa Fe Wastewater Treatment Plant, always with an eye toward sustainability and future generations. In 1982, he went to work for the State of New Mexico, specializing in Hydrology. Jay gave over 25 years of service to the State of New Mexico, serving as Interim Deputy Director of Interstate Streams Commission, specializing in water resources management.
Jay was an active member of New Mexico State University's Academy of Civil, Agricultural and Geological Engineering, and the American Legion. His favorite pastimes were rockhounding, hunting, fishing, shopping and collecting antiques, watching baseball and football, and tinkering on just about everything.
A commitment to service extended far beyond Jay's professional duties. Throughout Jay's career, he volunteered as a coach of YAFL – Young Americans Football League, AABC – American Amateur Baseball Congress, and multiple youth basketball leagues, manager of the MSGHL – Mountain States Girls State Hockey League in New Mexico and Santa Fe Youth Hockey League for over 10 years. Jay also volunteered for many associations, including Gideon's Int'l, Santa Fe Interfaith Shelter Community at Pete's Place working with the homeless and hungry, and chairman and vice-chairman of the Santa Fe Friends of NRA. Upon retirement, he focused helping youth in 4-H activities, leading into his involvement in 2015 with the Republican Party. Jay showed tireless energy in his efforts to volunteer for his family, church, community and state.
As a member of First Baptist Church in Santa Fe for 44 years, Jay served as an Ordained Deacon, some of those years as the Chairman, Chairmen of the Property and Building Management Committee, a Sunday School Teacher, Sound Board Operator, he was an over-all volunteer.
In 2020 and 2022, Jay ran as candidate for House District 46 as the first Republican to run in that district in 75 years. He was very involved in the Republican party from 2015 to death.
Surviving Jay to carry his heritage are his wife, Earlene Groseclose; son, Joshua Groseclose; daughter, Janna Groseclose; sisters: Joan Park (Brady), Jery Bethany (Darrel); brother in law, Glenn Mallott (Glenda); nephews/nieces: Denver Park, Jeremy Hurley, Trinity Park, Heather, Angela; many great and great-great nephews and nieces; one aunt, Donna Groseclose; and numerous cousins.
Preceding Jay are parents, JC and Faye Owen Groseclose; niece, Rebecca Amy Park; Paternal and Maternal Grandparents; many uncles, aunts and cousins.
Chosen as Honorary Pallbearers: Jim Saunders, Carrie Boyd, Paul Morrison, Harry Montoya, Senator David Gallegos, and Greg Gillespie. Honored to serve as Pallbearers: Damian Knight, Brady Park, Darrel Bethany, Joey Tiano, Phil Howes, Dan Chappell, Mark Pacheco and Senator Jay Block.
It can be said of Jay; the true measure of a person is not in the titles they held but in the lives they touched. His legacy will live on in the improved lives of the citizens in the workplace, community and programs he contributed to and in the hearts of all who knew him. "Don't cry because it's over, smile because I finally finished my race."
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org/donate or New Mexico Shooting Sports Foundation at NMSSF.org/donations. Please take a moment to share your prayers and thoughts with the family at www.andersonbethany.com.