April 14, 1960 - July 4, 2005 "Jay Jenkins, husband, father, friend, truck driver, sports editor, Preacher, etc., Jay had many titles and he was well loved by most everyone that knew him, but no one loved Jay more then his family. I know, because Jay was my husband and my soul mate." - Excerpted from Kat Jenkins Letter to the Editor. The Jackson County Times-Journal would like to remember Jay upon the anniversary of his death. Please feel free to share your memory of Jay with our community.

9/20/2006 Name: Kat Jenkins Message: Over a year has passed and I still miss him so much. I wonder if it will ever get easier. I love you Jay!

8/29/2006 Name: Bonnie Good Location: Lima, OH Message: Jay was a great friend, as well as brother-in-law. I'm thankful for all the years we had to spend with him although they were far too few. It was wonderful to see my sister really and truly happy not just in her Lord,and in her family, but in the beautiful man God sent into her life to be such a big part of it. When Jay was in his last months I spent as much time as I could manage with Kat and Jay. I'd go for at least a week when I went to visit instead of just a weekend, and we'd have long quiet talks when Kat was getting much needed rest. The shared cup of coffee and sometimes friendly arguments over philosopical differences is something I'll always remember. David and I truly love and miss you Jay.

8/12/2006 Name: Rev Bob Jones Location: Jackson, OH Message: Our church, Trinity Chapel, was happy to pray with and for Jay during his illness. He represented such a sweet spirit that remains when we think of him. We certainly remember Jay as a strong believer in God, accepting whatever God had for him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his widow, Kat.

7/31/2006 Name: Bill Message: I liked Jay, still do.He was an all around nice guy. No other way to realy explane it.

7/17/2006 Name: Marvin Davis Email: rev_marv@msn.com Location: Jackson, OH Message: Miss ya bro, see ya soon!!!!!!!!!!!

7/1/2006 Name: Kenny Email: jinx@almostacres.com Location: Jackson, OH Message: When Jay got the job at the newspaper, I thought he was crazy. I couldn't see how he was going to make a living. But, Jay was as happy as I've ever seen him. Thank you, Times-Journal, for helping my little brother through the last months of his life on earth. I miss you Jay.

6/30/2006 Name: Kat Jenkins Email: LilacRose@ohiohills.com Location: Hamden, OH Message: My husband, my soulmate, I miss your sweet face. My life passes by now, at a much slower pace. Work here is not finished, I must run the race. Until My Lord calls me to His throne of grace. I rejoice that Jay is now with his Lord and Saviour, but my heart cries for the love it misses. My physical being cries for the arms that once held me and my soul anxiously awaits the day we will meet again on the other side. As John, Jeanne & Sabrina in Superior, WI said: "it is indeed a hard time when the anniversaries come by. The anniversary of the death, the birthdays, the holidays, etc. Music you hear that reminds you of them.....things you see that remind you of them. It's tough......" July 4th will be the first anniversary of his death. It is followed immediately by July 7th the anniversary of the day we buried his body, July 8th my birthday and July 11th the Anniversary of what would have marked 14 yrs together. I haven't reached the easy part yet, but I pray it is close at hand. Thank you all for your kind words and memories. Ron, I believe I may have seen that picture beside loyalty in the dictionary, because he was nothing if not loyal. :) My daughter said she loves small towns because of all the love and support you recieve from so many people in them. I agree. Thank you everyone. Rest in peace Jay, I will see you soon.

6/29/2006 Name: Joyce Location: Jackson, OH Message: It is so hard to express your feelings about someone on paper,,,,,,Jay was a member of our church at Faith Baptist for a long time, him, Kat, and his family,,,,I loved Jay and Kat and their family,,I think the thing I remember most about Jay was his smile and I loved to hear him sing!!!!!It was so hard to see him suffering with cancer and I know he is in a better place, but that still doesn't stop the memories,,My heart goes out to Kat(she is a great friend!), also his mother, who is such a beautiful, warm and kind person,,,She would always play the piano when Jay sang at our church,,,,,He is very much missed by all that knew him,,,,,I love you Kat and Edith and family. May God bless all of you. And I loved you too, Jay.

6/29/2006 Name: John, Jeanne & Sabrina Location: Superior, WI Message: As someone who has been through the death of both parents......let me say that it is indeed a hard time when the anniversaries come by. The anniversary of the death, the birthdays, the holidays, etc. Music you hear that reminds you of them.....things you see that remind you of them. It's tough......but in time it does get easier. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. May it be a comfort to you to know that you are not alone......and neither are they. God bless you all.

6/28/2006 Name: SANDY LEONARD Location: JACKSON, OH Message: We all miss Jay so much, he was a very quite and unassuming man, but he always had a quick smile for you. I became aquainted with Jay when I was helping with the Speed Pit racing at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. I could go back anytime to him and say, Jay there is a race this weekend, and Greg Pugh called and wanted to know if you could come take some pictures for them. He never ever groaned or said it's the weekend and I don't have time. He would say, sure, what time. He would always be there when he said he would. You could always depend on what he told you, he was a man of his word, and that is a rare thing in these times. He covered many things for the fair and 4-H and we appreciated his dedication to job and our TJ family. God Bless, Jay.

6/27/2006 Name: Angie Location: Wellston, OH Message: I was privledged to Worship Jesus with Jay at Church for many years. His heart was the same inside or outside the doors of the church. Another item about Jay is his singing voice was a very close second to Randy Travis. He was always humbley shy when you talked about it though, as Jay was in all walks in his life. We miss you Jay, but I know for a fact I have some explaining to do for Jesus after you got to him first!! :)

6/27/2006 Name: Faith and family Message: Sometimes angels live among us. They come into our lives to help us through a difficult time or bring to us an important lesson or message to carry with us on our journey's in life. Sometimes these angels quickly pass through our lives with only brief moments and you don't get the chance to let them know that a simple conversation during a difficult time or a smile during a stressful day means so much. Sometimes these angels come to us as friends and touch our heart like family. Jay and his family are such people. Although we only knew Jay for a short time compared to what some of the others in the community have. He was like one of those angels who has brought inspiration to those he meet. A true inspiration of happiness and caring who once lived among us and now remains an angel in our hearts. May his many memories continue to be held dearly in the community and he always be remmebered as one of those special angels in the hearts of those who meet him.

6/26/2006 Name: Paul Boggs Message: When I was the sports editor of The Athens Messenger before arriving at The Jackson County Times-Journal, I found that Jay was hard working, eager to learn more about the business and you could tell he took his job seriously. I was quite impressed with the way Jay, new to the profession, did his job to promote the youth of Jackson County. I'm sure he showed the same desire in his other walks of life. Our sportswriters' fraternity misses Jay, but we remember him for the good things he did while he was with us. As I said in my Chip Shots column from July 10, 2005, I wish I could have gotten to know him more. Paul Boggs Jr.

6/26/2006 Name: Cassy Location: Hamden, OH Message: Jay was a wonderful man there is not enough words to describe the things he did not because he had to but because he wanted to. I will miss my Dad, but I find comfort in knowing that I will one day see him again.

6/26/2006 Name: ron flanagan Location: newark , OH Message: jay was my friend.if they ever placed a picture on the dictionary to define loyalty they would probably use his picture.i read or heard some where that the definition of a gentleman was someone who did everything they could to make others feel comfortable that would be him. i loved him and God loves him rest in peace my friend

6/26/2006 Name: Lisa Location: Jackson Message: My fried Kat had four children and had gone through some hard times. They were hard times for both Kat and her children. At one point she wondered if happiness would ever come her way again, and then she met Jay. Jay changed Kat and her children's lives. He was a friend and encouragement to Kat and taught her that she could trust again, and they married. He loved her children and stood in the gap as a father to them all. I remember the change it made in that family. Jay had a heart that was not afraid to embrace the challenge of this ready made family, his love for Kat extended from being her husband to being a real father and grandfather for her children and grandchildren. Many people never see the impact they make on the lives of others, Jay's contributions were noticable and he is greatly missed by all that knew him.

6/26/2006 Name: Jennifer Hughes Location: OH Message: As a managing editor, you love the employees that take to their jobs like fish to water. Jay was eager to learn new things. For the short time he wa with us, he made an impact on the newsroom and the community. He did it for the kids of Jackson County, because he believed in their hardwork and dedication. He was proud of "his' kids. It was a pleasure to be your boss.

6/26/2006 Name: Melanie Location: Jackson, OH Message: I have missed the conversations we would have late Friday night as we worked trying to get the pages out for deadline. Jay was such a sweet, caring man. I don't think anyone who met him could think differently. I know the "boys' club" misses their fellow sports writer too. You are missed by all those whose life you touched.

6/26/2006 Name: Trish Location: Wellston, OH Message: It doesn't seem like a year has passed since Jay left us. He was a dedicated journalist who loved his job and the kids he came in contact with thought alot of him. I always think of Jay smiling, even when he knew things were looking bad. He put on that smile and kept on going. He is missed.