Obituary of Marion Delbert Jaycox

    Marion Delbert “Jay” Jaycox, the son of Delbert and Mary (Jungclaus) Tinkcom Jaycox, was born June 6, 1922, on the family farm near Crofton, NE, the 8th of 11 children. He received his education through 8th grade in a one-room schoolhouse about 1 1⁄2 miles from the farm, graduating from Crofton High School at age 16, and from Wayne State Teachers’ College in 1941, having earned a 2-year teaching certificate.

    The Jaycox family relocated near Lake Park, IA and Jay taught in a rural school in Jackson County, MN before being drafted into the US Army in 1943. He served in France, was captured and became a POW in Germany in February, 1945. After being discharged, Jay worked as a tire salesman at Montgomery Wards in Spencer, IA where he met his future wife, Marilynn Graen. In April of 1946, he bought a café in Sanborn, IA with his brother, Leroy Tinkcom. On June 24, 1946, Jay and Marilynn were united in marriage in Spencer, IA. To this union three children were born: Nancy, Terry and Steven. He retired from Jay’s Restaurant and Lounge on June 30, 1986; the café which once held 40 people had grown to a restaurant seating 220.

    Jay was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sanborn, a life-time member of the American Legion, Sanborn Golf and Country Club, 10-20 Club, served 18 1⁄2 years on the Sanborn School Board, and was the POW liaison for NW IA POW’s for the Veterans Administration of Sioux Falls, SD. He enjoyed golfing, cooking, hunting, spending time with the family and singing - especially, “Make the World Go Away”, but he always said, “My biggest accomplishment, though, is my family.” He lived with the philosophy: “Do your giving while you’re living.” He was thankful each day, that after all he had been through, especially WWII, that God had given him yet another day, and that he lived in the United States of America.

    Jay passed from this life at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, IA on Saturday, July 22, 2023, having reached the age of 101 years. He is survived by his children: Nancy and Dennis Puhrman of Lake Park, IA, Terry and Deb Jaycox of Sanborn, and Steve and Anne Jaycox of Waseca, MN; eight grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; his sister, Elaine Morphew of Lake Park, IA; brothers-in-law: Jack Graen of Tucson, AZ and Noel (Joan) Graen of Hanover, PA; as well as extended family and friends.

    He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilynn; grandson, David Puhrman; great-granddaughter, Janie Long; three sisters: Alice Mayden, Margaret Brasch, Lavonne Wells; six brothers: Ralph, Don, Rex, James, Raymond Jaycox and Leroy Tinkcom; and brother-in-law, Robert (Alma) Graen.