Jay Edward Gasper

22 April 1938 - 5 November 2024

Jay Gasper passed away peacefully on 5 November 2024 at the age of 86 after living with cancer for close to a decade.

After graduating from high school in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Jay joined the United States Air Force. For nineteen and a half years out of twenty, he used to boast, “I got to fly airplanes.” He flew the F-4 Wild Weasel, and instructed in both the T-37 and T-38 until he retired from the Air Force in 1979. After leaving the military he started his 19 year career with Southwest Airlines. He loved everything about being an airline pilot except sleeping in a hotel room and not being able to eat a home cooked meal. Jay retired for good in 1998 so that he could play golf and be with his grandkids.

Jay was an avid golfer (scratch handicap most of his life) playing regularly into his late seventies. He enjoyed being a father and a grandfather. Papa Jay was always available to pick kids up, drop them off, watch their game, or take them to the driving range.

Jay was predeceased by his wife Virginia, his sons Scott and Michael, and his parents John and Thelma. He is survived by his three children, Elizabeth, Terry, and Patrick, his twelve grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and his sister Ginny Gillum.

Visitation will be on Monday, 18 November from 6 to 8pm with a Catholic Rosary ceremony at 7 pm, Rolling Hills Funeral Home, 400 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell TX 75019. Funeral services are 10:00am, Tuesday 19 November, St Ann Parish, 180 Samuel Blvd, Coppell TX 75019. Interment with military honors, 1:00pm at Old Hall Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate in Jay’s name to Sister Joanna’s Class School, Sisters of Saint Francis, 1025 Arizona Ave, El Paso TX 79902. (Sister Jo is Jay’s cousin. Your donation will help run the Sister of Saint Francis’ school in Guatemala.)