Jay Trivett

James F. Trivett, 86, of Elk Park, NC passed away at home after a battle with cancer. He was born in Cranberry, NC to Walter Raleigh and Hattie Oaks Trivett. He was the 7th of 8 children. He attended Elk Park Elementary School and Cranberry High School. At 19 years of age he moved to Indiana with friends to find work. There he met the love of his life, Diana Jo Ward. They married June 24, 1960. They just celebrated 65 years of marriage in June.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Hattie Trivett. Sisters Joyce Gilbert (Ernie) and Cleo Wooten (Leo) and brother Walter Raymond Trivett (Rose Edna Turbyfill) and brother in law Delmer Laws. A son, James (Jimmy) Ferd Trivett Jr and daughter Shirley Anne Shatzer.

He is survived by his wife, Diana, a daughter, Mary Jane Skaar. Grandchildren James, Bethany, Nathaniel (Elizabeth), Caleb and Evan Skaar. Hattie Lewis (Andrew) and Allen Shatzer. Great grandchildren Dante' Skaar, Katie and Kendra Lewis, Ezekiel Kincaid and Maeve Skaar. Sisters Betty Jean Winters, Sue Laws, Delores Durham (Bill) and a brother Robert (Bobby) Trivett (Hazel) and many nieces and nephews.

James, known as Jay, was a hardworking man who would drop anything to help anyone. He could do it all! Plumbing, electrical, building, mechanical, and woodworking. He loved camping, gardening, fishing, hunting and story telling. He lived a life full of adventure and loved to tell the stories to anyone who wanted to listen and we all loved hearing them, over and over. He loved spending time with family. He retired from Dana Corporation, Marion, Indiana after 30 years of service and moved back to his childhood home. Decoration and family reunion was the highlight of the year for him. The family have come for many decades to his home place to share time and a meal. Hurricane Helene came one inch, literally, from destroying that home and he helped rebuild it. Jay and Diana loved genealogy and have researched both families back many generations. He loved traveling and visiting historical places. They have been to every state except Alaska and Vermont. He leaves behind for his family a legacy and heritage of love, values, honor, and pride. He will be so missed.

Funeral services for Jay will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Rhododendron Chapel in Roan Mountain with Pastor Brent Nidiffer. Music will be under the direction of Judy Shomaker. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 on Tuesday morning at the Rhododendron Chapel.

Interment will follow in the Mollie Guinn Family Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff of Amorem Hospice and Palliative Care for the excellent love and support they provided, not only to Jay, but to his family. In lieu of flowers, they ask that memorials be made to Amorem Hospice and Palliative Care 902 Kirkwood St NW Lenoir, NC 28645.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.rsfh.net

The care of Jay and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.