Obituary for Jay "Jaybird" Neathery
James “Jay” Monroe Neathery was born in Dallas, Texas on September 22, 1948. He passed away peacefully on January 10, 2020 in Waco, Texas. He was a fourth generation Texan, the son of Sam and Foobie Neathery. Jay attended Highland Park Schools and North Texas University. He and his best friend, Nelson Billups, joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967 and were in the reserves for six years.
Jay’s lifelong career was in residential and commercial construction. His work allowed him to travel all over the United States making many new friends along the way. His priorities in life were his close relationships with his family and many close friends and coworkers and enjoying the great outdoors while hunting and fishing. Some of his favorite fishing lakes include Caddo, Fork, Toledo Bend and Moss Lake where he and his brother, Wesley, shared a cabin.
Jay was always there to help anyone in need. He stayed positive about life through the good times and the bad. His personality was magnetic, he was the “life of the party”. Jay loved to crack jokes and make everyone laugh! During the last couple of years, while living with this sister, Jay’s health declined. He tried to push forward and fought obstacles while looking forward to another day fishing, watching football, and being with the people he loved. He was a real treasure to us all!
Jay is survived by his sister, Janet O’Dowd of Waco, TX; brother, Sam Wesley Neathery and fiancé, Marianne of Gainesville, TX; niece, Meredith Kosse and husband, Anthony and great nephew, Samuel Kosse all of Bedford, TX; his first cousins, Linda Juba and husband, Dick of Dallas, TX and Kit Bayse and husband, Bob of Houston, TX; and many other cousins as well as dear friends.
In the spring Jay’s family will honor his wishes to spread his ashes at several places that were special to him. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, https://tpwd.texas.gov/, or a charity of your choosing. A Celebration of Jay’s Life will be held at a future date.
Jay’s lifelong career was in residential and commercial construction. His work allowed him to travel all over the United States making many new friends along the way. His priorities in life were his close relationships with his family and many close friends and coworkers and enjoying the great outdoors while hunting and fishing. Some of his favorite fishing lakes include Caddo, Fork, Toledo Bend and Moss Lake where he and his brother, Wesley, shared a cabin.
Jay was always there to help anyone in need. He stayed positive about life through the good times and the bad. His personality was magnetic, he was the “life of the party”. Jay loved to crack jokes and make everyone laugh! During the last couple of years, while living with this sister, Jay’s health declined. He tried to push forward and fought obstacles while looking forward to another day fishing, watching football, and being with the people he loved. He was a real treasure to us all!
Jay is survived by his sister, Janet O’Dowd of Waco, TX; brother, Sam Wesley Neathery and fiancé, Marianne of Gainesville, TX; niece, Meredith Kosse and husband, Anthony and great nephew, Samuel Kosse all of Bedford, TX; his first cousins, Linda Juba and husband, Dick of Dallas, TX and Kit Bayse and husband, Bob of Houston, TX; and many other cousins as well as dear friends.
In the spring Jay’s family will honor his wishes to spread his ashes at several places that were special to him. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, https://tpwd.texas.gov/, or a charity of your choosing. A Celebration of Jay’s Life will be held at a future date.