Jay B. Horrocks, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, died Saturday, May 5, 2018. Born January 9, 1930 in Neola, Utah to Theron and Lecta Miller Horrcks, the third of five children. A product of the Great Depression, Jay was frugal withhimself and extremely generous with others. He learned the value of hard work from his parents, working hard on the family ranch even as a young child. This helped develop his strong work ethic which served him well his entire life. Jay attended Roosevelt High School, excelling in academics, athletics and leadership, serving as the student body president. Jay attended the University of Utah on an academic and ROTC scholarship, graduating with honors and being commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. During college, he met the love of his life, Elaine Mayhew, and they married in the Logan Temple on August 25, 1950. Theirs is a tender love story that will continue on into the eternities. They were blessed with 6 children and we are blessed to have them as parents.
Jay was born with a brilliant mind and a love for life and adventure. His interests were varied. He loved boxing and as the winner of the Intermountain Golden Glove Middle Weight title in 1946, he earned the right to compete in the National Golden Gloves Tournament in Chicago. He also won the AAU Boxing Crown in ‘47, ‘49, and 1950, earning his nickname "Killer" Horrocks. Before hanging up his gloves, he had won 50 bouts, losing only 2. He loved the outdoors, hiking and exploring. He loved water skiing and spent years enjoying the beauties of Lake Powell. He would travel any dirt road he found "just to see where it went." He worked hard, played hard, loved life and loved his family! He mastered everything he tried; the skies as a private pilot, the seas as an officer aboard the U.S.S. Seiverling during the Korean War and the land, traveling extensively with Elaine to all corners of the world.
He was an effective leader in the community, being named the 1964 "Man of the Year" by the Jr. Chamber of Commerce. He served on numerous community Boards. He was a leader in business, starting his career with Beneficial Life Insurance Company as an agent and being named the President and CEO of the company on August 6, 1987. He served on their Board of Directors and was the Chairman of Beneficial Life's subsidiary companies as well as President of Western American Life. He was honored by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors-Utah in 2005 with the "Life Achievement Award" for his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the Industry.
Jay had a deep, abiding love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, and did all he could to further His work here on earth. He served the LDS Church as a Stake Executive Secretary, Stake High Councilman, and the Bishop of the Monument Park 9th Ward. Jay and Elaine served a mission at the Liberty Jail Historic Site and Visitor Center, where he served as the Director. After that, they served together in the Salt Lake Temple Square Mission. Jay served as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple for over 13 years.
Jay was a man of principle, integrity, and honesty. He was a great example of Christ-like love and service. His motto of being "joyfully useful" was evident in how he lived his life. He was the patriarch of our family. He was always there for us, loving and encouraging us to always be our best!
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elaine, his six children Cherie (Dale) Green, Susan (Thomas) Baird, Brian (Linda) Horrocks, Daren (Joy) Horrocks, Danelle (Pete) Skolmoski and Lisa (James) Sweeten, 22 grandchildren, 25 (soon 28) great-grandchildren, and his brother Blaine (Joann) Horrocks of Neola, UT. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Deane Jennings and brothers Max and Don.
Funeral services will be Friday, May 11, 2018 at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 Wasatch
Drive at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held at the Stake Center Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the LDS Church Missionary or Humanitarian Funds.
