Jay Wilbur Dull

On Thursday, October 6th, at 3 a.m., with daughters Jennifer and Lynn (Linda) by his side, Jay Wilbur Dull drew a last gentle breath as he grasped the outreached hand of his loving wife, Janet, in heaven.

Jay was born on January 20th, 1934, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the only child of Jay Wilbur Dull Sr. and Mary May (Aldridge) Dull. His youth was filled with love and life enriching experiences.

During his high school years, Jay was a musician and a model car and airplane enthusiast. He played timpani and glockenspiel in both school and state bands and orchestras, built many a small gas engine vehicle, and was a successful scholar. With the help of his father, Jay designed and built a two seat convertible! After graduation, he began to explore his future, attending Washington and Lee University, Grove City College, Dickenson Law School and the University of Miami.

In 1952, Jay and his first wife had a daughter, Linda Mary. While Jay and Linda became separated for some time after divorce, they joyfully rediscovered one another 20 years ago.

On July 25th, 1956, Jay married the love of his life, Janet Harriet Matthews (on her birthday). Two years later, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. In 1960, Jay and Janet welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Elizabeth.

Jay developed a career as a passionately dedicated Human Resources Manager with Ford Motor Company for 37 years in both Ohio, and Michigan. He reveled in countless opportunities to experience the conceptualization and creation of Ford Motor products, while primarily recruiting design engineers at the Design Center in Dearborn, Michigan. Jay just plain adored his cars, so much that one could say they were ‘in his blood’. He was in his glory whenever he drove an Aston Martin, Pantera, Mach Mustang or a Jaguar…with his wife, daughter or granddaughter along for the adventure!

After retiring from a successful career with Ford, Jay and Janet moved to Boca Raton, Florida, where they lived for the last 13 years. There ‘the sky was blue, with white puffy clouds, and a gentle breeze was blowing”. They rediscovered their Christian faith and became members of the Grace Community and Royal Palm Presbyterian congregations, where Jay was an Elder. His deep and meaningful relationship with God helped him care for Janet, who developed Alzheimer’s disease soon after their move south. Upon her passing in May, 2015, Jay returned to Michigan to live with daughter Jennifer (Kromrei) and her husband, Robert (Kromrei) in Dexter. There, he received the loving care he so deserved. Fortunately, his granddaughter, Stephanie (Gordenier) and great grandson, Liam (Lemon), were close by to visit, create memories and share life celebrations.

Jay was a college graduate, a proud American, an Army Veteran, a Mason, and a distinct ‘fancy man’ full of grace, dignity, strong spirit and enduring opinions. He dug his heels in about what he believed. ‘I can’t do it’ was never in his vocabulary, and his life and his family are reflections of that spirit. He was a maker of cars, fly fishing gear, woodwork, art, cloth, and paintings. He was a lover of animals, especially Weimeraners Jager and Duke; cats Tigger, Fanny, Spanky, Alfalfa, Pinky and Midget (to name just a few); ducks, chickens (including Fatso the rooster), and the horses Jennifer rode; “Mr. Hook” and “Moose”. He was a top shelf traveler with his wife and family, creating experiences and memories to last lifetimes.

Jay is survived by 2 daughters, a son-in-law, 3 grandchildren, 5 grandchildren, a sister-in-law, 5 nieces and nephews, 2 kitties, and loving extended family. Cremation has taken place and a memorial will be planned in the future.

If Jay were here now, he would ask that you remember him by exercising your right to vote on November 8th; to treasure being an American and use your ‘voice’.