Roll Call Tribute

Jay Joseph Jaynes, Col USAF (Ret) 

March 6, 1948 - November 7, 2023 

It is with very heavy hearts we announce the passing of Jay Joseph Jaynes on Tuesday morning, November 7, surrounded by his family in Phoenix, AZ, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s.

Jay was born to Jay and Mary Rita Jaynes on March 6, 1943 in Bryan, Texas. Being part of a military family, Jay and his sister, Mary Jo, moved many times – Roswell AFB, the Pentagon, Wright-Paterson AFB and Hanscom Field. Growing up he was very involved in sports — primarily baseball, basketball, tennis and ice hockey.

Jay was a proud member of the class of 1965, Texas A&M University. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force that fall. Early in his career he was deployed to Vietnam – November '67 to November ‘68. During his 28 years of active duty, he held many Communications/ Intelligence positions. He was commander of the 6903rd Electronic Security Command, Osan, Korea; 6912th Electronic Security Command, Berlin, Germany; and the Air Force Technical Applications Center, Satellite Beach, FL. He also served from 90-93 in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He retired as a Colonel in 1993. During his tenure in the Air Force, he studied and received two Master’s degrees one from George Washington University and the one from the Naval War College. 

Upon retirement, Jay and his family moved to Crested Butte. He had many jobs, ran a B&B, first owned Instant Replay Sports in Gunnison, operated the Inn at Arrowhead, had a ski storage business, taught skiing part-time to beginners, owned the Wine House and a sunblock company, Beaver 43, and was very active in Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, the Crested Butte Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.

Besides being a loving husband, father and grandfather, Jay was an avid tennis player, a wanna-be golfer, a seasoned skier and college football fan (Gig’em Aggies). He had impeccable manners and was always punctual. He was the first one to laugh at a joke and no one could better capture an audience or tell a better story than Jay. He was a gracious host and loved to entertain. Jay had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel comfortable whether it was the first time you met him or having known him for years. Those who knew him personally were lucky enough to experience this firsthand. Jay was also a strong leader and a wonderful mentor to many that worked for or alongside him. His friendships were deep and plentiful.

Despite his lengthy battle with Parkinson’s, Jay never lost his sense of humor or ability to laugh and up until the end enjoyed spending time with his family.

Jay is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pam, children Jeanine Anderson and her husband Jeremy Sibert, Wendy Vance and her husband Ryan Vance, Robyn Jaynes and Jason Brown, Jay D. Jaynes and Lorraine Howe, and eight wonderful grandchildren, Carter, Sloane, Jayden, Jaxsen, Gage, Everett, Nolan and Fiona.

There will be a Mass for Jay at Queen of All Saints over the summer with burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in his honor, please consider Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, the Crested Butte Rotary, Corps of Cadets–Texas A&M University or the Ross Volunteers at Texas A&M University.