New IberiaFuneral services will be held for Mr. Lester L. Jay, 90, on Friday, June 12, 2015 at 2:00 PM at David Funeral Home Chapel with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in New Iberia. Visitation will begin on Thursday June 11, 2015 from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. Visitation will resume on Friday from 8:00am until service time. Mr. Lester L. Jay passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 9:00 AM at his residence in New Iberia. He was a native of Tyler, Texas, where he attended public schools. He was a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Class of 1945, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a veteran of WW II, serving as a 1st Lieutenant with the 13th Air Force on Leyte and Luzon, Philippines. After separation from the service, he remained in the US Air Force Reserve and retired with the rank of Major. Lester was a devoted family man. He was married to Dorothy Dunaway Jay for 64 years. They had two daughters, Judy Jay Green, wife of Dr. David Green, and Sally Jay, wife of Dr. Karl Mahaffey. Also surviving him are four grandchildren: Benjamin Green (wife Jeanne Badeaux Green), Andrew Green (wife Morgan Rainey Green), Mary Frances Green, and Jay Ferguson. He was preceded in death by his father, Marshal Lester Jay, and mother Anne Lee Lambright Jay Beckham. Mr. Jay was initially employed with The Texas Company (Texaco) but joined International Salt Company's Avery Island Mine and Refinery, working and living at Avery Island, LA, in various capacities, retiring as Plant Manager after 35 years of service. Mr. Jay was a former member of the Iberia Parish School Board, representing District 13. He was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church, New Iberia. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the New Iberia Kiwanis Club. He served as a director of the New Iberia Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Jay was a member of the Retired Officers' Association and a life member of the Reserve Officers' Association. He was a Registered Professional Engineer, State of Louisiana, and a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was a former member of the Louisiana Engineering Society. After his retirement, he performed volunteer work with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (S.C.O.R.E.) for many years. Mr. Jay had a passion for meeting people and learning new things. He loved traveling. He spent hours perfecting crossword puzzles and was an avid golfer. Mr. Jay was proud that he and his wife Dorothy funded a President's Endowed Scholarship at Texas A&M University, establishing in perpetuity a college education for a student who might have not otherwise have had the opportunity to earn a college degree. To honor Mr. Jay's memory, donations may be made to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. You may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org David Funeral Home 1101 Trotter St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of the arrangements.
