Jay Salmon Jr.

1965 - 2013

Jay Salmon Jr. obituary, 1965-2013

BORN

1965

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Bleitz Funeral Home

316 Florentia Street

Seattle, Washington

Jay Salmon Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 16, 2013.

Jay Salmon was born Edward James Salmon, Jr. (a name almost instantly shortened to Jay) on February 16th, 1965, to his mother, E. Elizabeth Salmon, and father, Edward James Salmon, Sr. Jay made news immediately in a front page photo in the Port Angeles Herald as his mother, all of 42 years of age, gave birth at such "advanced years." His family soon moved to the town of Newport, Oregon in 1969, the place that Jay considered his true hometown, and where he spent his most formative years. Here he combed the ocean beaches, quite literally his back yard, with his brothers Rolf DeVries, John DeVries and Dirk DeVries, ran with his beloved family dogs, Hobo and Charlie, and built rockets in the sand with his good friend, Steven Miller. At age 16, his parents sold their Newport home and moved north to Bellingham, Washington where Jay later graduated from Sehome High School in 1983.

He enrolled in the National Guard immediately after high school and rose to the rank of Sargent. After training in Combat Engineering, gleefully driving tanks through the sandy hills of the Yakima Training Center, he used his military benefits to study business at Western Washington University. He moved to Seattle in the late eighties and began working at American Arts & Graphics managing their warehouse operations then later joined their purchasing team. The company was sold some years later and Jay worked as a buyer at Providence Hospital before being hired at Heery International, training in move management services for school building projects. In 2002, he moved to Radixos, a locally-based business doing move & facilities equipment planning based from Seattle. Here he began his career in project management for large-scale facilities projects (schools, hospitals, airports). Two of his major projects included the equipping and outfitting of a major addition to Northwest Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and the Marin County Hospital in Marin, California, as well as the recently-opened Aviation High School at Boeing field here in Seattle. In all, Jay worked on over 80 projects at Radixos, providing project management and marketing the new company with the owner, John Waters, and Operations Manager, Debi Smith.

In 2001, he married Elonna Marci Lester in a celebration at the Lairmont Manor in Bellingham, Washington, that managed to involve a rubber chicken, the Bay City Rollers, and various references to the biological life cycle of the salmon. They bought a house together in Fremont (actually in 1995), living next door to good friends Randy Byers and Denys Howard. They worked, danced, played, and traveled to Europe together, where Jay was arrested for kicking an English bobby-completely justifiably, if somewhat uncharacteristically.

And the greatest adventure of all was the birth of his daughter Sophia on January 22nd, 2002. From those moments, when Sophia, wide-eyed, with an alertness and focus remarkable in a baby only hours old, began to take in the world around her, Jay was a helpless devotee. He and Elonna worked together to provide for Sophia a childhood filled with love and laughter, and creative adventure; and even when he and Elonna separated in 2011, Sophia's happiness remained Jay's top priority. They danced together at the Washington Athletic Club's annual Father-Daughter dinners, planned and made weekly dinners together, went hiking and reading in Carkeek park... in Seward Park... in Discovery Park; in anyplace with trees to climb, and clearings sunny enough to stretch out in with two or three good books.

In 2007, Jay was diagnosed with polymyositis, a rare muscle disease, which he battled with unfailing good humor, and with such promise that by the end of 2013 he was feeling stronger, and standing taller, than he had for several years. His sudden death on December 10th was something that no one would have predicted, considering how well he seemed; and one which everyone who knows him will feel as an incalculable loss. But the wry wit, the fun, and the sheer love of life, friends and family that were uniquely Jay's will remain with everyone he leaves behind, as will the image of him striding through that doorway–any doorway-holding Sophia's hand in his own, and wearing a grin that still seems, now, as it has at so many times in the past, like the promise of something wonderful-something absurd, or irresistible-that he simply has to share.

Jay is survived by his wife, Elonna Marci; daughter, Sophia Marci-Salmon; brothers Rolf DeVries, John DeVries, and Dirk DeVries, his sisters, Ellen Hammond, Patricia Salmon, Susan Salmon and Jeannie Salmon.

In honor of Jay's memory, please contribute your own memories and recollections by signing Jay's online guestbook (link below).

Many have asked if there was a charity or fund to donate to as a memorium for Jay. Contributions may be made to the "Sophia Marci-Salmon College fund", a link will be available soon.


Comfort food for the family can be sent using the following link...

http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=mve5amrqn10t

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Jay Salmon

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Not sure what to say?

November 14, 2014

Chris Barnhart

I've known Jay since high school at Sehome in Bellingham. We reconnected after school was over, and he became part of a close circle of friends that moved to the big city of Seattle together. We shared a house on Capitol Hill for a brief time, and remained close friends for years. Taking care of his daughter Sophia on occasion was one of the great joys of my life. He was truly one of the kindest, most balanced people I have ever met. I love him like a brother, and he will be missed.

January 8, 2014

Jill Davies Lucht

I was shocked and saddened to hear about Jay's passing. He was a wonderful guy. He had such a positive attitude, he was so much fun, he was my first love. Although I hadn't talked to him in nearly 15 years I often thought about Jay and his family. I'm glad find out that he has a beautiful little girl. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

December 27, 2013

Eric Oyster

I had the pleasure of working with Jay for two years at radixos. As others have noted, his smile was engaging and always managed to bring a certain amount of levity to situations that otherwise would be all too darn serious. Besides sharing both healthcare and school projects together, we always tried to one-up each other in dry humour. Alas, he bested me more than not. Jay will be missed by many, myself included.

December 24, 2013

Jo Turner

Thank you for your years of work at AAG and our recent reconnect with a surprise walk around Green Lake. I was, as always, impressed with your gentle spirit and easy smile. I was looking forward to renewing a friendship that got temporarily disconnected, but am so grateful I got that walk around Green Lake a short time ago. I will miss you, Jay and will remember your gift to the planet of your presence for ever more. XOXO

December 23, 2013

Michael Garcia

I will always remember your smile and laughter and all the times spent with you and your family in Bellingham. You were a good friend in those important formative years. I recall that night we grilled on a beach on Bham bay on my return home from boot camp. I will forever cherish those moments and your memory. Goodbye old friend.

December 20, 2013

Tina Guzinski

Your smile. That is what I will always remember.

December 18, 2013

Mike

In the words of my seven year-old son, "Jay was my friend who tickled me." That about sums it up for me, too. His playful personality made even the most mundane activities - fun! I am lucky to have had him as a friend.

December 18, 2013

Shelley Brown

I worked with Jay at American Arts and Graphics. He was a joy to work with - compassionate, funny and kind. Sending love and prayers for comfort to his family.

December 18, 2013

Louis Thompson

One of my best friends ever.When it comes to being kind-hearted, generous, good-natured, funny; you may be able to tie Jay, but no one could beat him.A tremendous loss.I'm still in a state of shock.

December 18, 2013

Lillian Martin

So sorry. I just knew him briefly and saw a loving father and a contagious friendliness. My prayers are with all the friends and family.

December 17, 2013

Natalie McLean

Jay was more than a co-worker, he was a friend. He could always lighten a mood and make you laugh. I loved our walks with doggies and our talks. I was in awe of how well you loved your daughter. I will miss being able to send goofy emails or scheduling happy hours. It just doesn't seem real to me. Miss you, friend.

December 17, 2013

I worked on several hospital projects in Alaska with Jay. He helped make a difference in people's lives in places like Nome and Soldotna. He will be missed.

Jay Farmwald
DOWL HKM
Anchorage, AK

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Bleitz Funeral Home

316 Florentia Street, Seattle, WA 98109

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