Jay C. Heifner, 95, July 14, 1925-April 4, 2021
Born in his family’s Anniston, Ala., home on July 14, 1925, and raised with a true sense of Southern hospitality, Jay C. Heifner went to be with his Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Seattle.
After a childhood in Anniston, Jay quit school and moved to Chicago until he was old enough to enlist in the U.S. Navy in the 1940s. While serving at a now-closed base in Arlington, Wash., Jay and a buddy went to a dance in Marysville where he was smitten by a young teacher, Velma, whom he married in 1944. Shortly after starting a family, Jay was stationed at Seattle’s Sand Point Naval Air Station, where he spent all but the last few years of his 21-year military career. After several promotions he transferred to Naval Air Station, Memphis, where he retired in 1964 as a Chief Aviation Ordnanceman.
Now living in a Lake City-area home with his family, Jay embarked on his 22-year civilian career as an electrician for Redco in Seattle, and Lloyd Controls in Mountlake Terrace. While tending his colorful garden one afternoon in the mid1950s, he struck up a conversation with a local pastor. This led to Jay’s 64-year membership at Lake City Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon, usher, elder and regular contributor of his garden bounty.
A true Southern gentleman, Jay was an avid reader of Westerns and always enjoyed family meals – including fried chicken, fried okra and authentic cornbread. His family was his deepest pride and joy.
To say Jay was social would be an understatement. Through his neighborhood connections, he actively volunteered with the Lake City Lions Club and the Lake City Elks Club. He was also a lifetime member of Seattle Branch 18 of the Fleet Reserve. Jay and Velma also enjoyed weekend motorhome excursions with friends through a Good Sam Camping group. His favorite place to vacation was at the Hale Koa on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Before a fall made it difficult for him to live independently, Jay was a popular and regular early-hours indoor walker at Northgate Mall with others who were – or soon became – close friends. He moved to Shoreline’s Cristwood Senior Living for the last three years of his life.
Since his passing, the greatest compliments Jay’s friends have shared with his family were his kindness and friendliness. He truly lived by the Golden Rule of Leviticus 19:18: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Jay is survived by his daughter, Sue Ann Snow (David) of Edmonds, Wash.; grandchildren, Nikki Wiley (Dean) of Edmonds, and Sean Snow (Ashley) of Lynnwood; great-grandchildren, Cody and Jake Snow, and Deason and Anistyn Wiley; sister-in-law, Francis Heifner of Anniston, Ala.; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma; parents, Stella and Jessie Heifner; and brothers, James and Billy.
Due to COVID safety guidelines, Jay’s family will hold a private graveside service at Acacia; a larger service for friends and family will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Heart Association.
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