Donald Jay

Donald “Max” Jay, 96, of Newton died on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Park Centre in Newton. The family will greet friends from 10-11 a.m., Thursday, May 22, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Immediately following the visitation, a graveside service will be held with military honors at Newton Union Cemetery. Memorials to an Animal Rescue League of the donor’s choice may be left at the funeral home.

Max, the son of Bernard and Ruth (White) Jay, was born on October 1, 1928, in Lynnville. Max had a love of aviation that began at a young age. During high school, Max worked odd jobs to raise money to take flying lessons in Newton. Although, he would have to hitchhike to get to Newton he was able to complete his pilot’s license. After graduating from Lynnville High School in 1946, he went directly to serving his country in the U.S. Navy until 1948. After returning from the service, Max was united in marriage with Verla Smith on October 29, 1949, in Omaha. They made their home in Jasper County, where Max worked road construction until being called back into the service in June of 1951. During his two-year stint, being stationed in Virginia, he was able to finish his commercial pilot’s license.

Max and Verla would make their home with their two children in Newton after he was discharged from the Navy in 1953. Max fulfilled his lifelong dream and began working as a pilot first at Johnson Aviation and later with the Maytag Company, retiring at the age of 62 as Director of Flight Operations. He passed the love of aviation on to his son, Don. Max and Verla were active volunteers at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. He also was an avid marksman and a member of the Des Moines Rifle and Revolver Club. Many people in Newton knew Max from his daily trips to the YMCA where he enjoyed his time on the treadmill and chatting with everyone that came in the door.

Max is survived by his wife, Verla Jay of Newton; children, Don (Christy) Jay of Adel and Jana (David) Jay Malen of Stowe, Vermont; grandchildren, Holly Foarde, Heidi (Robert) Myers, Jennifer (Casey) Harvey, Daniel (Dominique) Zelman, Zachary (Rachael) Zelman, and Rachel Zelman; his great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Rosaleigh, Eli, Sam, and Levi; sister, Patricia Pettingill of Waukon; sister-in-law, Tomma Lou Jay of Grinnell; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Ray, Richard, and Giles.