In Loving Memory Of APHA Past President J. Jay Simons
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232 – September/October, 2024
By Brittany Vermeer
It is said that evidence of a life well lived can be seen in the legacy that’s left behind. Although someone’s physical presence may no longer be with us, we have stories, lessons, and memories that serve as proof they were here.
They made a difference in the lives of those around them. They left their mark.
That’s certainly the case with APHA Past President J. Jay Simons, who passed away on May 19, 2024, at the age of 101. Jay was husband to Nancy, father to Andrea, Joe, and Daniel, and grandfather to Jana, Sara, Zack, Asher, Taylor, Cara, Jonah, and Matt. He was the patriarch of the Simons clan who has given so much to the Paint Horse industry.
But Jay was much more than a lover of spotted horses. He was a former WWII aircraft mechanic. He met his wife while playing scrabble at the Palm Beach Hotel, and they were married for 70 years. He became a lawyer in 1950, spent a decade on the bench, and worked as a mediator until the age of 100.
At the conclusion of ten decades spent on this earth, Jay was sharp until the very end, always ready to dispense wisdom and crack a joke with his dry sense of humor. He is loved by his family, friends, colleagues, and the Paint Horse community.
Happy Wife, Happy Life
Click here to read the complete article
232 – September/October, 2024
