Me: Larry, Me & Jay in Leadville, CO (August 2014) after the two of them finished the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Bob & I had gone to watch them & some other friends cross the finish line of this epic event! They were both beaming with happiness after conquering this long, tough ride!
It is with such sadness that Bob & I attended Jay's funeral this past weekend. Jay passed away in April in a freak accident. We & his close friends are missing this wonderful guy who always brought his contagious smile wherever he went. He leaves behind a beautiful wife & two wonderful daughters. His celebration of life ceremony shed more light on just how amazing Jay was. He wasn't just a great athlete who was fun to be around, but he was a present & proud father, a loving & loyal husband, a successful business man who was respected & involved in charities - particularly fallen warriors. He is also a giver of life. From organ donation Jay saved or improved the lives of 7 other people in need.
One lesson from Jay: "Always have the Heart of a Champion"
Jay was a champion & we will strive to have the same heart he did for others.
Is this the friend that passed away due to a biking accident? He was way to young to leave this earth, but what a wonderful gift he gave in organ donation!
ReplyDeleteMartin - Hope the elephants were not abused???
Yes, it was a biking accident. Really sad circumstances. Neither the fault of the car or Jay but so tragic. This is the 2nd friend within 6 months that we've lost (both were on bikes). Though we love road biking, Bob & I have decided to stop cycling on roads with higher speed traffic and many of our usual road routes. The increased risk with drivers texting etc is changing our ways (we'll bike some roads…safer routes or mountain bike more). Highy's and Jay's deaths have greatly impacted our road cycling community. :-(
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