Jay Valton Dooley, 70, of Bryan passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The memorial service will be held 10 AM Tuesday, August 27 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan.
Jay was born on May 24, 1949, in Bryan, Texas. He was a proud graduate of Texas A&M University. After co-owning Farm and Ranch Lumber and Hardware with Paul Siegert, he founded a successful metal culverts business in Navasota. He was an avid outdoorsman, expert fisherman, and prodigious gardener. He loved tending to his family’s considerable acreage of land in Bryan, raising his cows, fishing at Lake Limestone with Jan, and watching his grandsons grow up.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Doris Dooley; his brother, James “Jimmy” Dooley; and his stepdaughter, Kimberly Kasen.
Jay is survived by his wife of 27 years, Jan Dooley; sister, Phyllis Holder; children, Jay Valton Dooley II, Joanne Bonasso, and Jeff Dooley; grandsons, Patrick, Caden and John Dooley, and Matthew and Russell Bonasso; sister-in-law, Betty Jean Dooley; brother-in-law, Don Holder; daughter-in-law, Danielle Dooley; son-in-law, Scott Bonasso; cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of extended family members and friends.
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.” Proverbs 21:21.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zion United Methodist Church of Iola, Texas, 23727 Trinity Street, Iola, TX, 77861.
Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers, Bryan-College Station.
Express condolences at CallawayJones.com
We extend our deepest sympathies to each of you. Jay was a classmate of mine at SFA, class of 1967. I’ll always remember his smile and laugh. May your memories be of comfort to you forevermore.
I’m so sorry to hear about this. I saw him a few months ago, when Ronnie Gooch got about 10 of us old SFA guys together for lunch.
Jay was a fine representative for the Dooley family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for your family
Jay and I graduated from high school in 1967. Even though I didn’t see Jay after graduating I heard many good things about him. My condolences go out to Jan and his entire family.g
I have known Jay for many years and will miss him. I am so sorry.
In our heart of hearts ,we pray that Jay is in a good place with God. We pray that Jan ,our dear friend will find peace and hope with time. Know you are not alone. Your are in our prayers and hearts always, we love you! Always Craig and Vicki
Dooley Family,
Our hearts are aching for your family in this time of great sadness with Jay’s passing. “Even though he is out of our sights, he will never leave our hearts”.
Love,
The Whitlock’s
God Bless in your time of sorrow
I am saddened with the loss of Jay and pray for strength for the family. God Bless.
Jan, so sorry for the recent loss of the love of your life. Glad you are strong in your faith and I’ll pray that you have the strength to get through this tough time. Love You, Boyd
I am so saddened by the death of my dear friend Jay. My heart is broken for my life long friend, Jan. I am at a loss . She will send endure as she always has. God knows her heart and has a special place for her in heaven. God give her the strength to carry on her life serving you as she has done her entire life. Praying for the Dooley family and for our Lord to give them peace and comfort as they lay their father to rest. Rest In Peace Jay. I love and will miss you dearly.
God bless Jan and the entire Dooley family .
Peace and love,
Connie Parker
I’m sending condolences and prayers for the family. Betty and Karen Peters
Jay, Dani and boys,
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that are thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tony and Heather Chester
Jay will be truly missed, I will always remember him for his famous fish-fries at Wimberley and I am happy that Aleister got to experience his Donald Duck impressions. Much love,
Ryan, Celeste, and Aleister
The Dooley family,
From the moment Clint brought me down you treated me like family. Treated my boys the same. I witnessed so many times you were nothing but a giver, sacrificing for the good of another. God prepares a special place for families like yours. Keep having babies and grand babies as this world needs more people like you. May God comfort each one of you.
With love and so much appreciation,
David Fullerton
For his grandsons…only grab the bumble bees that don’t have a yellow dot on their forehead
Ms. Jan,
My heart was so saddened to hear of Mr. Jay’s passing, but also peaceful knowing that he is with his Lord. Please know that you all are in our prayers now and in the days and weeks ahead. May God hold you tightly until you are reunited in Heaven.
I won’t be able to attend the service, but did want to take a moment to say what’s on my mind. Our families have lots of history. Not only did my parents and Big Jay grow up together, Joanne and I also grew up through the school system together, and Jay Jr. was my high school sweetheart (and beyond) for nearly five years.
Big Jay and Jan treated me like a daughter. I was spoiled to lots of Aggie Football outings and gatherings, holidays, fishing trips to Port Mansfield and endless dinners, movies, card games, dominoes and great conversation. Even though Jay Jr.’s and my paths went in different directions in life, the Dooley family was never far from my thoughts. They are the best kind of people.
Big Jay was the epitome of generosity and a warrior for his family. My heart breaks for the loss of him, and for the sadness that I know his family must feel with his tremendous energy gone. I know, with certainty, that he is up in Heaven, sharing a laugh and perhaps even some Shannon’s soul food, and teaching his brethren the Aggie War Hymn. And I’m pretty sure the fisherman that have gone before him will have some serious competition with Big Jay in the bay.
My continued thoughts and prayers to all of those who mourn Big Jay’s loss. That reach is far and wide, and his spirit will live on through his family and the lives he touched. I know that he has left behind a legacy of love, through Jan, his children and grandchildren. I pray for the peace and comfort in knowing he is in a better place, and that his Savior is rejoicing to finally have him home.
To Jan and family, our deepest condolences to you and family at this time and your loss. Your family and the world lost another great man and friend. The gates of Heaven swings open wide when Jays name was called.
We are very blessed and grateful to be a part of Jay’s great love for life. He was such a wonderful inspiration to all of us. His unconditional love for his sweetheart Jan, his family and the unselfish way of making sure others feel welcomed came so Natural to him.
We have so many special memories that we will cherish forever. Our reunions at Wimberley, fishing, and dove hunting have Are just a few. His ability to auctioneer or sing a song about any little thing Will be dearly missed. Gig em. We love y’all.
Clint,Jenny,Alicia,Chris,Melanie,Mark, Camryn and Kyle