Jay Bryan Smith

Jay Bryan Smith passed away on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 in Turlock, CA. He was 81 years old. Jay was born in Turlock, CA on October 20, 1941 to his parents, Jennings & Viola Smith. Jay lived in California for all of his life – Turlock, San Francisco, Fresno, San Jose, Lake Tulloch and Turlock. He graduated from Turlock High School where he was voted Outstanding Senior Boy due to his extracurricular activities and charming personality. Jay played football all four years and participated in track and field and wrestling. Jay was on the championship team of ‘55-‘56 and on the championship varsity team of ‘57-‘58 for football. In track, Jay took first place in the pole vault in ’56 and with his three years of Varsity wrestling, Jay was the novice winner of ’58. After graduating from Turlock High, Jay attended San Francisco State then continued his education at Fresno State, where he received his bachelor’s degree. On September 8, 1962, Jay married his wife, Jane Smith at First Methodist Church in Turlock. They were married for over 50 years until Jane’s passing in 2013. Jay remarried on April 15, 2016 to Sandy Smith, and the two remained married until the day of Jay’s passing. Jay devoted most of his life to the Hallmark business as an account manager for many years and then opened up his own Hallmark Gold Crown Store in 1985, which he and his wife and daughter ran for over 20 years. He retired in 2009. His hobbies included golfing, boating, listening and singing country music, rooting on his 49ers, spending time with his many friends, his three kids, five grandchildren and most recently his four great-grandchildren. Jay was preceded in death by his late wife, Jane Smith. He is survived by his second wife; Sandy Smith & her large extended family; his sister, Arlene Angel (nephew, Mike & niece, Melanie); his daughter, Kim & her husband, Kevin Barrett; his son, Rod & his wife, Jerri Smith; and his youngest son, Jeff Smith & Alison Marr. He leaves behind his grandkids, Rodney & Meredith Smith, Rusty & Natalie Smith, Riley, Chandler, Faith; and his great-grandchildren, Theodore, Waylon, Watson, & Illa. Please join the family for a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock, CA.

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Jay Bryan Smith

October 20, 1941 - May 30, 2023