Jay Jarmes

Jay Jarmes, 68, of Big Spring, died on Saturday, December 20, 2008, at his residence. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 27, 2008 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Rev. Sharon Weise, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating.He was born on February 22, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa. He married Lucy Prewitt in February 1965 and she preceded him in death in January of 2001. He then married Judy Gard in July of 2001.Jay graduated from Hugo High School in Hugo, Oklahoma in May of 1958 and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1962. After graduation, he was hired by the IRS in Tulsa, Oklahoma, working fraud income cases. In November of 1962, Jay joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and was scheduled for Air Force Pilot Training. He attended and graduated from Air Force Pilot Training at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring. From 1964 to 1969 he flew with the Oklahoma and New York Air National Guard, flying cargo into and out of Vietnam, Japan, the Phillipines, Thailand, Hawaii and Europe in support of the Vietnam War. Jay was hired by American Airlines in 1966 and was based in New York, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth, flying Boeing 727's and the Douglas DC-10, retiring in 1995.Jay volunteered at the Hanger 25 Museum, for the Big Spring Humane Society and for the Big Spring State Hospital Volunteer Services.Survivors include his wife, Judy Jarmes of Big Spring; a step daughter, Kandace Gard-Dawson and husband, Tom of Big Spring; a step son, Eric Gard and wife, Meeghan of Marshall; four grandchildren, Brock Gard, Baylee Gard, Katcher Dawson and Kennadee Dawson; three brothers, Jon Jarmes of Pasadena, California, Jim Jarmes and wife, Dorothy of Postville, Iowa and Jack Jarmes and wife, Janet of Muskego, Wisconsin; one brother-in-law, Bob Enyart of Postville, Iowa; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Beatrice Minerman Jarmes; and one sister, Glenna Enyart. The family suggests memorials to the Big Spring Humane Society, P. O. Box 823, Big Spring, Texas 79721-0823 or to the Big Spring State Hospital Volunteer Services, P. O. Box 231, Big Spring, Texas 79721-0231.Jay wrote the following for his 50th class reunion: "Judy and I live in Big Spring on 20 acres of scrub brush, rocks and rattlesnakes. We enjoy traveling, visiting our grandkids and families, and riding our ATV or golf cart on trails that I have cleared on our property. And taking care of our 18 critters, including 2 miniature donkeys. I'm Happy. It's been a good life."Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,