Jay Vance Jorgensen
August 09, 1957 - July 10, 2021
Moles Greenacres
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Jay Vance Jorgensen
August 09, 1957 - July 10, 2021
Moles Greenacres
Obituary
On July 10, 2021, Jay Vance Jorgensen passed away peacefully in his sleep after his 5 year fight with esophageal cancer. Left behind are his wife Debbie, daughter Jennifer, son Ben, son-in-law Dave, daughter-in-Law Erin and brand new grandson Owen. Also left are his mother Virginia, brother Don, sister Julie and their families.
Born August 9, 1957 Jay was a gentle soul with a quick wit. He developed a passion for pottery as a teenager and his work throughout the years impacted the lives of many. He met his loving wife while playing underwater hockey and they were rarely apart. Jay was always willing to lend a hand and could fix almost anything. At 19, he built his own house on the farm out of logs and lived there with his wife and children for over 20 years. Jay co-founded a successful business with his brother and father making animal diagnostics and raising llamas.
His adventurous spirit took him all over the world, even during the last years of his life. He loved being on the water and had a special place in his heart for Desolation Sound. Fishing, crabbing and shrimping were ways he celebrated life with his friends. Jay was the first to lighten the mood with a slightly inappropriate joke and wanted everyone to have a great time. A doting father, Jay was enormously proud of his two children and loved sharing his life with them. In his last years, his friends were a driving force that kept him going, helping him in every way possible to keep doing what he loved. They took him on life changing adventures, got him out on the water and provided beautiful distractions from his suffering while he fought. Jay was surrounded by his loving family in his final days, on his farm in Bellingham, WA.
A memorial will be held on Friday, July 23 at 2pm, at the Ferndale Events Center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Jansen Art Center Ceramics Studio in Lynden, WA, Jay’s passion.
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: July 23, 2021 (2:00 PM)
- Venue: Ferndale Events Center
- Location: 5715 Barrett Rd Ferndale, WA 98248 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 734-7832
Jansen Art Center
- Address: 321 Front Street Lynden, WA - (Get Directions)
- Website: https://www.jansenartcenter.org/donations/
- Email Address: INFO@JANSENARTCENTER.ORG
- Phone Number: (360) 354-3600
- Description: Art is essential. Art welcomes community regardless of ethnicity, economic status, geographic location, gender or age. Art tells a story about our culture, history and values. Art connects people and celebrates humanity.
5 responses to Jay Vance Jorgensen
Mira Swiecicki says:
July 16, 2021
I will miss Jay’s ever present smile and sense of humor. He was a person you could always count on to be there for a laugh or an ear, and he always made you feel happier after being in his company. Jay was so joyous and playful, and leaves a lot of cherished memories. Prayers for the Jorgensen family during this difficult time.
Julie Marzolf says:
July 17, 2021
Jay, aka “Jay Bird”..aka father, son, brother, husband, friend, uncle, colleague…no matter the title, he lit up a room and brought the party with his effervescent spirit, quirky sense of humour, and ability to make everyone feel welcome. Animal whisperer, loyal to the underdog and surprisingly private, Jay excelled at a life long commitment to his family and closest circle of friends. Thank you for engraving your love of life, nature/the sea, art through ceramics, and beautiful smile on our hearts. You left us too soon, but we will meet again! Fly free and unencumbered, Jay bird!
Big sister Julie (Jorgensen) Marzolf and Rick Marzolf
Bill Steinkamp says:
July 19, 2021
Jay managed three properties I rented. He was the salt of the earth. Kind and understanding. He cared about us and made life better with the way he did business. He will be seriously missed.
Pamela Anne Fredback says:
July 20, 2021
Jay welcomed me into the Jansen Art Center like I had always been there. Grateful to have known him, loved his smile and huge pots. I was invited to a Raku party on his property and that day is forever imprinted in my heart. His love of family and especially of his bride Debbie is a treasure not often found in long marriages. Jay, your smile, your willingness to teach, include and invite will forever impact my life! Gone…but Never Forgotten. There’s a hole at the J that you filled.
Don Jorgensen says:
July 20, 2021
I’ll miss my baby brother Jay. I’ve been luckier than most people being able to live next door to him for 45 years. Our kids grew up together and were welcomed with open arms when they had to escape our parenting style. Jay taught them how to work with animals and exposed them to pottery as well as a fun way to deal with life.
Jay built my first kayak while in high school and gave it to me as a welcome home gift when I returned from college. We loved to cliff jump, ski, scuba dive and swim in the rivers of the Northwest. We built our first farm together with long days and weekends and created a successful llama business meeting interesting people from across the nation. Twenty years later we created our current farm in Bellingham.
He became an expert in animal care and president of a nationwide llama organization. He shared the friends he developed in rotary and always brought joy to any gathering with his strength of spirit.
Jay will be in my heart forever.