Jay R. Bartow

June 13, 1945 – February 22, 2022

Del Rey Oaks, CA

Jay Bartow died February 22, 2022 at his home in Del Rey Oaks, surrounded by family. He was born in 1945 in Ventura, California and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Jay attended UCLA, where he studied International Relations, began his relationship with Jesus, and met Gail Coulson, the love of his life. He married Gail in 1966, and they moved to Pasadena where Jay attended Fuller Theological Seminary.

After a year of missionary work in Guatemala, Jay received his first call to Grace Presbyterian Church in Long Beach as an associate pastor. In 1974 he was called as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Monterey. He served that church for thirty-six happy years—leading in worship and teaching by example. He was always available to help a friend or member of the congregation in need.

In 2011, at the age of 66, Jay retired to spend more time with his family. A year on, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that affords most just a few short years. Through the grace of God, he carried on for a decade—enriching the lives of his family and friends at home, and far beyond through his charitable work installing water purification systems in Latin America.

Jay’s seventy-six years were jam-packed with travels, hiking, baptisms, golf rounds, groundstrokes, reading, weddings, grandparenting, canoe trips, gardening, cycling, singing, backrubs, preaching, campouts, fun runs, fly fishing, bible studies, berry picking, and joke telling. He possessed a brilliant mind, a big heart, a generous spirit, an unshakable faith, and an infectious laugh. He will be missed by many.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, June Olson and Rodney Bartow; and his sister, Joy Gillespie. He is survived by his wife, Gail Bartow; his daughter, Ann Inman and husband, Matt; his son, Paul Bartow and wife, Heather; his grandchildren, Jay Inman, Scott Inman, Marlee Bartow, and Martin Bartow; his sisters, Julie Aarons-Amon and Lorraine Levitt; and brother, Dick Olson.

A memorial service celebrating Jay’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Monterey on Saturday, March 5th at 2:00 pm. The service will also be live-streamed for those who can’t attend in person. The link to the service can be found at fpcmonterey.org. We also invite you to visit Jay’s website, jaybartow.com, for musings, sermons, and updates on the publication of his memoir.