Jay Alexander

Dear Jay:

We never expected to grow old together 

No one promised us the future

However, we didn’t expect it to be so short

You were a husband,

   a father, 

   a grandpa

You loved nature, art and beauty. 

You loved learning and reading.

You were grouchy and you were funny but not a lot of people got to see that side of you 

but we know it’s true 

We have almost no pictures of you where you weren’t making funny faces

You were loved immensely 

We love you to eternity, 

Your family

Join us in a Celebration of Life for Jay Alexander. 

Thursday Oct. 19th 5:00-7:00 pm at The Roost 920 Massachusetts St. Lawrence.

As many of you know, Jay loved The Roost.  

Come raise a glass to Jay as we gather to remember his remarkable life. Snacks and drinks will be available, alcoholic beverages for purchase. This is a casual, drop in event.

                                For questions please contact Traci at (910) 358-2307 or Cheryl (785)760-3368

In lieu of flowers family suggest memorials to Van Go, Inc. and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044.

25 Condolences

  1. Dave on September 26, 2023 at 10:15 am

    Knew Jay from Pinckney School through LHS. Had a lot of fun throughout the old days.
    Miss seeing you at 23rd St. Brewrey.
    Rest In Peace old friend you fought a hard fight.
    Dave



  2. Cheryl Najafizadeh on September 26, 2023 at 11:14 am

    Jay is my dad and no words can ever completely describe him or his colorful, bright, and adventurous life and soul.

    Please include any funny stories you may have of him.

    This will help us through this unimaginable grieving process.

    Thank you.



  3. Claudia Pereira on September 26, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    My big brother Jay, I will miss you so much! Even though, I did not get to see you much, but I always felt you so close. I will always remember our trip to Corn Island and how much fun we had!! I will treasured all my jewelry that you made for me!! I will see you somewhere when the time comes.
    Un gran abrazo



  4. The Roost on September 26, 2023 at 12:30 pm

    We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jay throughout the entire existence of The Roost and some of us, beyond then. We cannot thank him enough for his kindness and support over the last 10 years, especially during times when we needed it most. We consider Jay a dear friend. He will be remembered fondly and celebrated often. Thank you Jay, rest in peace. We miss you already.



  5. Carlos Tunnermann on September 26, 2023 at 12:36 pm

    Nosotros, Rosa Carlota y Carlos Tunnermann amamos siempre a Jay. Fue un buen esposo y un buen padre. Siempre estuvo dispuesto a servir a la comunidad, lo que lo llevo junto a Ingrid a formar parte del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Lawrence y a ser miembro del 911. Rosa Carlota y yo expresamos nuestras mas sentidas condolencias a sus hijos, hijas, nietas y nietos. Especialmente, enviamos un fuerte abrazo a su esposa, nuestra querida hija Ingrid.
    Jay, siempre te vamos a recordar con mucho amor,
    Rosa Carlota y Carlos Tunnermann



  6. Lew and Mehrangiz on September 26, 2023 at 1:02 pm

    Our sincere condolences to the entire family. We feel your loss, and you are in our thoughts and prayers.



  7. Janet Payne on September 26, 2023 at 1:30 pm

    i worked with Jay at FMC for 22 years. When I retired he carved a blue bird sitting on a log and gave it to me. always a great guy. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. Ingrid, my heart is broken for you. ❤️



  8. Nancy Adams on September 26, 2023 at 1:48 pm

    My Dear Friend Ingrid,
    My heart aches for you. I know how much “life” you and Jay shared. I have fond memories of the stories you told about you and Jay’s fire department days. Even though there was “drama” at times, it was obvious that Jay loved leading his team and being at emergencies to assist. I’m glad that I have had the opportunity recently to get to know him better. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.



  9. Peggy Unruh on September 26, 2023 at 5:08 pm

    Met Jay at the roost. Took awhile to get to know him and Ingrid. So glad we did. He will be missed. He was funny and loved to talk to everyone. Live you Ingrid hang in there. Prayers and hugs



  10. Peggy Unruh on September 26, 2023 at 5:41 pm

    It was supposed to say love you Ingrid



  11. Kira Alexander on September 26, 2023 at 6:33 pm

    There just isn’t enough space, and there aren’t enough words to say everything that can be said about my grandpa – his sarcasm, humor, debates, talents, strength, and love for his family barely scratch the surface.

    I’m going to miss him more than words can convey. It feels impossible to imagine a world without him.

    Some of my favorite memories growing up were spent with him on Saturdays. We’d go to Miltons for breakfast, then up to his studio to make art, pausing only for a “Mediterranean-style” (lots of feta and olives) lunch. He’d outfit me in his hats, jackets, and gloves, and we’d go on adventures for the whole day – snake catching, stone carving, hiking, and just experiencing nature. I feel so lucky to have him as my grandpa.

    I treasure the pieces we made together and see my grandpa in all the art he’s created. I’m continuing to seek my grandpa in the natural world, from the equinoxes and solstices he celebrated to the stars and animals he loved to watch and photograph. ❤️



  12. Ross Geredien on September 26, 2023 at 7:41 pm

    I got to know Jay through my partner and Ingrid’s sister, Patricia. Twice we visited Jay and Ingrid in Lawrence, the first time in 2018. He was an avid natural historian and voracious reader, knowledgeable about a wide range of topics. We shared several adventures during our two visits, from visiting the tallgrass prairie, to birding the local marshes. Fiercely devoted and loyal to those he loved, he was the tender hearted warrior. I will miss him, and I wail always remember his wonderful irreverent sense of humor.



  13. Marvin and Judy Eldridge on September 27, 2023 at 7:53 am

    Enjoyed working with Jay at FMC. So sorry for your loss and we are sending our prayers for you during this difficult time.



  14. Rosa Cassidy on September 27, 2023 at 11:16 am

    Dear Jay,
    Thank you for all the love and encouragement you gave Ingrid during your life together.
    I witnessed first hand how happy you made each other.
    Now that you are nestled among the stars your light will help guide her.
    May you forever shine in her heart.
    Siempre te recordaré con inmenso cariño!



  15. Bob Howard on September 27, 2023 at 2:51 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with Ingrid and the rest of the family. Jay was one of my operators at FMC. You could always count on Jay to do a good job and he took great pride in taking that extra step to learn everything about any job that he undertook. I gave him some cured walnut lumber when he first started carving and he carved a life sized wren out of this material, I have admired it for several years and it now has reached keepsake status. Rest in peace old friend.



  16. Diana Dunkley on September 27, 2023 at 3:01 pm

    Jay was a wonderful artist and human being. He encouraged many others to be the same. My sympathies to Ingrid and family.



  17. Carla Castellon on September 27, 2023 at 5:44 pm

    My dearest Jay,
    I cannot begin to tell you how much you are going to be missed. Thank you for all the love you gave Ingrid; you made her complete. You were made for each other and will forever be Inky’s soulmate.

    You had a great capability for admiring God’s creation in the most simple details of life, and God rewarded you by taking you by His side on the very day of the equinox.

    I will always remember you with so much joy as “Jay, mi hermano mayor.”

    May perpetual light shine upon you, love you my big brother!

    The Castellon Family



  18. Vicki Goff-Miller on September 27, 2023 at 6:58 pm

    My Dearest Traci and Cheryl ❤️
    Growing up I really loved babysitting you Both. Your Parents always treated me with Great respect, when I was done, you both were in bed and your father always walked me home. To make sure I got home safe and sound. I always respected him for that. Both of you girls and your parents have a spot in my Heart. ❤️
    Love you Both
    I’m So Sorry for your Loss. Hugs
    Sincerely Vicki Goff-Miller



  19. Judy Mears on September 28, 2023 at 10:15 am

    Dearest Ingrid , there are no words I can say that we’ll make a difference or help to heal your broken heart. All I can say is I am so very sorry for your unimaginable loss, and you are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏💔🙏 Love you!



  20. Lynn Metzger on October 1, 2023 at 7:33 am

    Very sorry to hear about Jay. We went all the way through school together and had similar interest in art. We will miss him.



  21. Jan Bresnahan on October 1, 2023 at 9:45 am

    Jay touched my heart. What a special friend you became in such a short length of time. You reached out to me to join you and Micky for breakfast after seeing me eating alone on several occasions. Jay you were amazing; intelligent, kind and a genuine person. Thursday quiche will never be the same. Not that you would eat quiche. Bacon and sweets were your eats. You will be missed.



  22. Verle (Smitty) Smith on October 1, 2023 at 10:34 pm

    My condolence to all of Jays family. Jay and I were friends and co-workers for 35+ years with FMC. We had a lot of interesting conversations through the years. Great guy.



  23. Maelyne Rider Schultz, Billings, Montana on October 3, 2023 at 2:42 pm

    Sorry for your loss. I attended school with Jay and he was one of the funniest guys I had ever met. RIP Jay.



  24. Paul and Ruth Ann Atchley on October 17, 2023 at 9:16 am

    Jay was quite the character and a good neighbor. He and Ing made Republic Road a better experience. He will be missed.



  25. Erik Lundquist and Nancy Biles on October 17, 2023 at 10:12 am

    Our deepest condolences to Ing and Jay’s family. So sorry to hear this news.



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