Donald Roy Jay, 86, of Madill, Oklahoma passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at the hospital in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  He was born in Cherokee, Oklahoma to the late Roy Hobson Jay and Neva Madge Jenlink Jay.  Don grew up in Cherokee where he graduated high school in 1955.  He attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Geology. Don married Anita Kaye Sykes on October 29, 1965, in Ponca City, Oklahoma.  While Don worked for the Kay County Health Department and the James Crabtree Correctional Center, most of his life was spent farming and ranching on the land he loved near Cherokee, Oklahoma.  Don was an avid outdoorsman, with a love for deer and upland bird hunting, as well as a passion for fishing of all kinds, but for fly fishing in particular.  Don never met a stranger.  He loved meeting and engaging in conversations with people wherever he went, and he had a knack for making connections.  He had a giant heart, and the world is a sadder place without him in it.

He is Survived by:

Wife:                                    Anita Kaye Jay, Madill, Oklahoma

Children:                             Geoff Jay and wife Shelly Kraft,

Karri Goss and husband Brandon,

Grandchildren:                   Armand Jay

Nathan Jay

Braden Goss and Destanie Watkins

Britton Goss

Great Grandchildren:       Roper Goss and Charlie Goss