Jay Edward McPhail was born the youngest of five to Robert H and Sidney Rene Merritt McPhail on May 2, 1949, in Forsyth, Montana. Jay passed away in his sleep very peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 9, 2019. Jay lived his whole life in Hysham and never regretted a minute of it. A friend to all, he never knew a stranger. He was so proud of helping to get the ambulance service started in Hysham, and was an EMT for 31 years also serving as a volunteer fireman in his spare time. His fulltime job was as a state of Montana highway department maintenance worker. He loved his job and always preached “wear a seatbelt” and “watch out for snowplows.”
He leaves behind his best friend and hunting partner David Bodi of Hysham and all his “stranger” friends. We will miss his loud voice at ballgames and his sideline refereeing. He has left us with an unforgettable memory if we reach inside to find it. Special thanks to Tim and Becky Zent for all the time and help given at the end of life.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Roberta. He is survived by his wife Sharolyn, son Benjamin, step-daughter Timi Jo Baldwin all of Seattle, Washington. Siblings Eunice (Virgil) Achtenberg, Colin (Judith) McPhail, Randy(Barb)McPhail, numerous nieces and nephews, and all his friends. He will be missed.
Graveside services will be at the Hysham cemetery on November 16, 2019, at 11; 00 a.m., with a celebration of life at the Community Center in Hysham following from 12-4. Please send condolences to the family at Stevenson and Sons Forsyth. Memorials can be made to Treasure County Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Service of Hysham or charity of choice.
GEORGE JAN SIMMONS says
Jay was a good man and served EMS and Hysham for many years. Rest In Peace Jay.
Bill & Denice Hedges says
I’m so sorry to hear Jay passed.. our love and prayers are coming to all of his family. May God wrap his arms around you all as you go through the next difficult days. Bill has always told me about their EMS days, the fire department and other town gatherings! He was definitely proud of his hometown.
Larry & Vicky Fink says
We are so sorry to learn of Jay’s passing. Jay was a big man with a big heart. He loved his community and served in many different positions over the years. He never missed a ballgame and could be heard “reffing” from the stands at most games! He will certainly be missed. Rest in peace Jay.
Carla Porter says
Sorry to hear of Jays passing, thoughts and prayers to the family. Rest in peace.
howard and anrold vassau says
I will miss see jay in forsyth on sundays rest in paece
Vickie & Dennis Krause says
Rest In Peace Jay! We can’t even make fun at you so u would have a comeback. You need so much for your community… you definitely going to be missed. So sorry your life was shortened with that “c” word. Now u can look down & shake your head at the rest of us. I hope your family remembers the good times.
Aaron McPhail says
Uncle Jay you will be missed very much. Always quick with a joke and to point out that he was my favorite uncle. We will miss the road trips to see you and your playful humor. Rest in peace
Rita and Bill says
What a “big shit” Jay was!! He made us all laugh when he was with us at FitzGeralss. He always offered a wad of snuse to strangers who came in to eat so they could get rid of the taste. He was always looking for a way to make us smile. God has a great “greeter” at the gate. We will smile when we remember Jay.
Jack and Kirsten(Belgarde) Crocker says
Sharolyn, Timmi Jo & Ben, Jay was a great person. I have several memories of Jay and his family, growing up in Hysham. He will be so dearly missed.
Carol Plympton says
We will always miss Jay. He was a friend to everyone. You are all in our hearts and prayers.
Judi & Myles Van Hemelryck says
Jay was such a good friend. We had so many good times together. His heart was as big as he was, and will surely be missed. We are thankful for his service on the ambulance crew and the fire department for all those years. Rest In Peace Jay.
Mike and Lynn Blakesley says
What a blessing it has been to know Jay. Mike and I will miss him and his “antics”–including him honking his horn to scare me whenever he drove by as I was walking into the Roxy Theatre! When Jay worked for the highway department, he knew I drove to Billings for work on Mondays so during the winter he would always make sure he first plowed the interstate going west so I would have clear roads. Jay was truly a man with a big heart and we will miss him terribly.
John Baken says
I remember Jay well for the short time I was teaching in Hysham. I taught Benjamin McPhail, I believe, though the years get away from me with all the students’ names. Jay was an active citizen and parent and lots of fun to know. Hysham will miss him, I’m sure. R.I.P. Jay, John Baken (former English teacher; current librarian at Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, MO).
Don & Becky Criswell says
Sorry to hear of Jays passing! He was such a great supporter of all during our high school years! Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Merri Clifton says
Jay’s smile and jokes will be missed by many. He was always happiest when he got one over on you! Thoughts and prayers for his family.
Dee Batey says
What a great guy. Ran into him about 3 years ago in Forsyth. We had a nice visit. A friend to all. Rest in Peace My Friend.
Coleen says
So sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. Though it’s been years I can still hear his voice and hear his chuckle. He will surely be missed. May God be with your loved ones and family.
Dick and Dana Cunningham says
We will miss Jay! He was an avid Hysham supporter and knew our people history well. Thank you Jay for being a part of our community. Rest In Peace.
Jean Perry says
I have many pleasant memories from my association with Jay, Sharolyn, and Ben. May you feel God’s comforting spirit during this sad time.
Ron Marshall says
I had the pleasure of coaching Jay for three years. Hysham was my first job and the success we had were in a large part due to Jay. I have only seen Jay a few times since I lived in Hysham and we always had a good visit.
My prayers go out to the family of Jay and also to the many friends he had in Hysham.
COLIN/JUDY MCPHAIL says
SORRY WE COULDN’T BE THERE. WE ARE HAVING A BABY SHOWER FOR GRANDAUGHTER WHO IS EXPECTING TWINS ON THE 16TH. THE FAMILY AND HEATHER, HEIDI, HOLLY AND HOPE ALL SAID A PRAYER FOR JAY IN CHURCH LAST SUNDAY. HE WILL BE MISSED.
Austin Schlosser says
I have had the pleasure of cutting Jays hair ever since the barber in Forsyth retired. I always enjoyed when Jay would walk in. I will miss him saying just “F***” up the back like you did last time. I had many great visits with him and must say I think I was only able to get one up on him on the jokes in the years I’ve cut his hair. I really enjoyed the bickering I would hear from Dave and him. The two of them truly reminded me of Grumpy Old Men. I wish I could attend the services but will be attending a family funeral the same day.
Eric McPhail says
My family and I will miss you dearly Jay, you crusty old fart. You will live on forever in our thoughts. I offer our family and his friends love and comfort and wish we could be there.
Barb and Randy says
We will be there soon to say our final goodbyes Jay. You were a great brother to Randy and Brother in law to me. We will miss the phone calls and the humor. You will be missed!
Judy Hert says
Remember Jay from my high school days. He loved playing basketball and was very good!
Alan Tucker says
Sure will miss him . I will never forget you Big Bad Jay
Pat Sapa says
Our MT trips will not be the same without Jay’s wit..our sympathy to his family..Tom & Patty Sapa & family❤️
George ScalpCane says
I first met Jay on the basketball floor during our high school days in the 1960’s. He was a Freshman and I was a Senior. We completed against each other after high school – Independent BB, I recall one humorous incident
Jay called me up and said his brother, Randy, was coming home for their parents wedding anniversary. I hadn’t seen Randy since our high school days- some 30yrs. I told him Jay I’d be down and he said to meet him (Jay)at a cafe in Hysham. while they were waiting he told his son to be on the look out for a big Indian.When I showed up at the cafe and his son saw me he told Jay”I was not a very big indian”. I’m almost a half a feet shorter than Jay so that’s probably where he made his comparison! There is no word for goodbye in th Cheyenne language, so, to my friend Jay. till we meet again may you R.I.P.
George Scalpcane
Dave and Robbie Mawyer says
Everybody always knew when Jay walked into our office, for he was larger than life.
He always claimed that our bathroom was his office within our office.
We all loved Jay and looked forward to his visits.
He also felt a deep connection to Robbie and me because we shared the same wedding anniversary.
Jay and his goofy antics when he came into the office will surely missed.
Rest In Peace, Jay. Godspeed.
Allen Lenz says
Hysham will not be the same without Jay. Sophia and I will miss you “big guy”, RIP my friend.