Jay Allen Dayley

DECLO - Jay Allen Dayley, 72, returned home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016.

Jay was born Feb. 8, 1944, at Maywood, Los Angeles County, Calif. He is the son of J D (Ted) and Barbara Celestine Welch Dayley. At the age of two, his family moved back to the Springdale area of Burley, Idaho. He attended school in Burley. His main interests were music and sports, where he excelled and earned many awards. Jay married Bonnie Jean Smith on Sept. 2, 1961. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on Nov. 7, 1962. To this union a daughter, Brenda Jean, was born. Bonnie returned to her Heavenly Father on July 8, 1963, as the result of a traffic accident. She was expecting their second child, also a daughter, who was stillborn as a result of the crash. Jay named her Lora Lyn. On March 7, 1964, Jay married Evelyn Larson in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They are the parents of eight living children.

Jay held many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the various wards and stakes they lived in and where his work had taken him.

He spent most of his life as a telecommunications contractor, which took him all over the country installing underground utility lines. He also attended Weber State University where he earned his degree as a registered nurse. He took his jobs very seriously and always gave his very best. For many years he took his family along on jobs whenever possible. The family was blessed to see many parts of the country including historic sites wherever they traveled. It was a wonderful education that he and Evelyn provided their children by taking advantage of whatever was available to explore around the job site that they were on at the time. Jay always took time to make sure he spent those fun times with his family. He also had to spend a great deal of time away from the family traveling for work. He called every day and expressed his love to his family and he always made sure to attend his church meetings wherever he was.

Jay’s testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was his gift to everyone around him. He was never afraid to share his love for his Savior with anyone. He always made a special effort to make sure that his children often heard his testimony one-on-one. His strong faith was a strength to all who knew him. He touched lives with his smile and generosity. He will be sincerely missed.

Jay is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn; his eight living children, Brenda Dayley, Joan “Joni” (Eric) Nebeker, Susan (Kelly) Forsgren, Kirk (Jennifer), Doug (Melinda), Dianna (Brandon) Spatig, Karen (Kasey) Thornton, and Sarah Dayley; 26 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Bob, Dennis, and Rex Dayley; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter; and a grandson.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Declo LDS Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., with Bishop Greg Osterhout officiating. Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:40 a.m. Saturday at the church.