Keith A. Jay

Keith Anthony Jay, age 58 of Brooklyn, passed away Thursday December 5, 2024, at Des Moines VA Medical Center after a battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 3780 165th St. Brooklyn, Iowa, 52211. Inurnment will be in the Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery. Kloster Funeral Home, Brooklyn is assisting the family with arrangements.
Keith Anthony Jay was born October 6, 1966, in Grinnell, Iowa, the son of Giles Keith Jay and Tomma Lou Smith Jay. He received his education in the Grinnell schools, graduating from Grinnell High School. Keith enlisted in the United States Army in 1988, serving for 36 years. He was stationed in Germany, and was deployed to Iraq, Cuba, and Kuwait. He attained the rank of E8 Master Sergeant. He served as an officer with the military Police. Throughout this time he spent many years as an active duty leader and maintained the ending of his years as a training leader within the reserves. Keith traveled to many countries during his time with the Army, which led to his curiosity about the cultures and history of this world. He loved learning anything and everything about the people and their cultures. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal(MSM)-twice, Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) twice, MILDEC Joint Service Achvmt Medal (JSAM), Army Achievement Medal (AAM)- six times, Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)- twice, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (ARCAM), National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)- twice, CSA Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM)- three times, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (NOPDR)- three times, Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR)- four times, Army RC Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOT), CSA Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ "M" Device (AFRMM)- twice, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTE), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTS), Iraq Campaign Medal Campaign Star (ICM-CS), Driver & Mechanic Badge w/ Driver - Wheeled Vehicle (DMB-DWV), and Certificate of Achievement (COA)- twice.
Keith was a member of the Security Fire Department in Colorado Springs, CO during his time when he was stationed at Fort Carson as a volunteer. During this time he met his wife, Raejeana at his part-time job at Home Depot. They married in March of 2000, and cherished their 24 years of marriage with their children while attending, coaching, and enjoying their children's lives and activities.
In his free time, Keith enjoyed woodworking, fishing and hunting. He spent many hours crafting wood lures, wood carvings and detailed scrollwork. He loved finishing a lure and announcing to his family "Let's go fishing!" Time spent with his family was his most well-loved down time.
Keith is survived by his daughters, Summer Lou Jay of Brooklyn, and Heather Taylor (Cody Brown) of Brooklyn; his son, Anthony Jay of Fort Collins; CO; three grandchildren, Elody Paglia, Nikita Smith and Briella Brown; and his mother Tomma Lou Jay of Grinnell. Also surviving are his siblings, Shelby Dolash (Mark) of Marshalltown, IA, Mike Jay (Tina) of Brainerd, MN, Deb Dop (Doug) of Ashland, MO, Kent Jay (Kymi) of Adel, IA, and Deeanna Sparks (Tim) of Lynnville, IA. His father Giles Jay, and his wife Raejeana Jay, preceded him in death.
Memorials can be sent to:
Heather Taylor
3780 165th St
Brooklyn, IA 52211
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