Donald Roy Jay

Donald Roy Jay, 86, of Madill, Okla. passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at the hospital in Ardmore, Okla. He was born in Cherokee, Okla. to the late Roy Hobson Jay and Neva Madge Jenlink Jay.

Don grew up in Cherokee where he graduated high school in 1955. He attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma State University, andtheUniversityofOklahoma,receiving a Bachelor of Science in Geology.

Don married Anita Kaye Sykes on October 29, 1965, in Ponca City, Okla. While Don worked for the Kay County Health Department and the James Crabtree Correctional Center, most of his life was spent farming and ranching on the land he loved near Cherokee, Okla. Don was an avid outdoorsman, with a love for deer and upland bird hunting, as well as a passion for fishing of all kinds, but for fly fishing in particular.

Don never met a stranger. He loved meeting and engaging in conversations with people wherever he went, and he had a knack for making connections. He had a giant heart, and the world is a sadder place without him in it.

He is Survived by his wife, Anita Kaye Jay of Madill, Okla.; children, Geoff Jay and wife Shelly Kraft, Karri Goss and husband Brandon; grandchildren, Armand Jay, Nathan Jay, Braden Goss, Destanie Watkins, Britton Goss; great grandchildren, Roper Goss and Charlie Goss.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be Monday, November 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. Steve and Wanda Littrell will officiate the service. Services will be under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome. com.