"Sorry for your loss "
In loving memory of
Jay Kelly DeHaai
November 9, 1949 - January 22, 2019
Jay Kelly DeHaai, age 69 of Monroe, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Dyer Hudson Hall, Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville on Saturday, February 2, 2019. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. with a celebration of Jay's life immediately following. A light meal and refreshments will be served. Please dress casually and wear your race shirts in Jay's honor if you choose. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or the Monroe Fire and Rescue. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
The son of Kermit and Elfrieda (Musgrove) DeHaai, Jay was born on November 9, 1949, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1967. On August 9, 2006, he was united in marriage to Brenda Porter. This being quite the small town chitchat since Jay had been single for 31 years and their courtship was only 32 days. Jay was the shop manager at Kermco-DeHaai, Inc., one of his many duties. His many hobbies included fishing, Nascar and Sprint Car racing, never missing a Knoxville Nationals since it's onset in 1960, collecting racing memorabilia, vintage car restoration, including his 1957 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery, his Budweiser and hanging out with his many friends. There was nothing Jay could not fix or fabricate. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Brenda; son, Alan (Vicki) DeHaai; son, Jayson (Kristi) DeHaai; daughter, Janine (Jeff) Bauer; seven grandchildren, Zachary, Dalton, Matthew, Jessica, Ashley, Cohen and Norah; his mother, Elfrieda DeHaai; and a sister, Jennie (Arvin) Van Waardhuizen. Preceding Jay in death was his father, Kermit DeHaai.
Tributes
"I, like so many of his friends, have known Jaybird for more years, than I myself can even remember. I have so many fun memories of him! One of them was an unforgettable memory that really doesn't need to be on here, but I'm sure many of his buddies remember. ? RIP Jaybird. I promise for all of us, you'll never be forgotten and spoke of often with much love!"
"Brenda, Aunt Frieda, Jennie, Arvin and family. Such fond memories of growing up close by to Uncle Kermit,Aunt Frieda and family. The DeHaai family gatherings have always been fond memories. I can recall a few times when Jay and I would get into a little trouble but that was part of growing up. He will truly be missed. My sympathy to the entire family. Barb DeHaai "
"Dear Aunt Frieda, Jennie, Arvin, Brenda and family, I am so sorry about Jay's passing. I have fond memories of our family dinners at Grandpa and Grandma DeHaai's house when we were children. My parents were so appreciative of Jay's willingness to always be there for them when they needed help. Our love and prayers to your whole family. Love, Jan and Leo Miller "