Obituary of Ferdie Erwyn Jay

Ferdie Erwyn Jay, 86, of West Richland, WA, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 2, 2021. He was born in Cashmere, WA, on April 27, 1935. Erwyn, as he liked to be called, was the second of four children of the late Rev. Ferdie Charles and Hester (Baird) Jay. He married Marilyn Ann (Petersen) in 1958 and would have celebrated 63 years of marriage this November. They resided in the Seattle area for most of their marriage until 2017 when they moved to West Richland. Erwyn is preceded in death by his parents, and younger brother Bill Jay. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Jay, of West Richland, WA; daughter, Annette Harb (Rimon), of Edmonds, WA; son, Michael Jay (Shelley), of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter, Heather Collingridge (Mark), of West Richland, WA; and grandchildren Kameron, Kristian, Miranda, Alexandria, Noah and Emelia. He is also survived by his older sister Fay Wagner, and younger sister Murna Huber. Growing up, he moved around quite a bit due to his father’s ministry. He lived in Wenatchee, Yakima, and Marblemount, but his favorite childhood memories are from his time in the little town of Lind, WA. He graduated from Yakima High school in 1953, where he was a talented football player. Following high school he attended Northwest College and worked as a sawyer and trimmer at a local sawmill. From 1960-63 he served in the Washington Army National Guard. In 1963, he joined the Seattle Fire Department where he drove the Hook and Ladder Rig for Station 17, Ladder 9. He spent time as an arson investigator also. He retired in 1986 after 23 years. He was always grateful for his time in the fire department and said often that he’d do it again without hesitation. Before and after his retirement he spent many years serving as a custodian for Shoreline Community Church in north Seattle and then as a custodian and a bus driver at Kings High School/Crista Ministries. During their time attending Westgate Chapel he loved ushering on Sundays and helping at the food bank during the week. Most people who knew our dad knew him as a very generous and serving individual, who was always willing to help anyone. He loved to take the time to talk with you and listen. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, always making time to spend with family. He loved the Lord and was devoted to his church, both in his worship and as a servant. He considered his time as a custodian as a ministry; not only caring for his church building but also as an opportunity to care for the congregation. A memorial service will be held at Westgate Chapel in Edmonds, WA on October 9, 2021 at 2:30pm.