Jay Dean Napolean Etheridge (known by many as JD) was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on April 29,1925. He died on May 9, 2026, at his home in Sand Springs, Oklahoma and went to be with his Father in Heaven where he is most likely playing his guitar.

Jay lived in Texas where he attended Macedonia Baptist Church in Mesquite. He moved to Sand Springs in 1968 and attended Fisher Baptist Church (later The Father's House) where he loved playing the guitar in the church band.

He served in the US Navy during World War II stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he got his GED and was trained as a radioman.

Jay attended Southeastern State College in Stillwell, Oklahoma (now known as Southeastern Oklahoma State University), where he dual majored in chemistry and physics and earned his Bachelors in Education. He was the first in his family to go to college. He taught High School Science in Oklahoma before moving to Texas where he worked for Best Foods and Sargents. He was self-taught in Engineering. After moving back to Oklahoma, he went to work for Sun Oil Refinery, earning a patent and retiring in 1986.

Jay enjoyed a variety of things including fishing, gardening, art, writing, music and inventing.

He is preceded in death by his Parents Cecil Clayton Etheridge and Alice Rochelle Webb Etheridge; Spouses, Fay Virginia Garner Etheridge and Iva Lee Sullivan Etheridge; Sister, Mary Alice Etheridge Armilio and Brothers, Billy Utah Jackson Etheridge, Cecil Owen (Buster) Etheridge; Son, Tommy Ray Etheridge; Daughter-in-Law, Anita Ruth Holcomb Etheridge and Great-Granddaughter, Katlyn Chambers.

Jay is survived by his children and their (spouses): (Tommy's spouse, Brenda Etheridge) of Texas, Nadine Collins (spouse, Jim Collins) of Arkansas, Vicky Lynn Pace (spouse, Jim Pace) of Oklahoma, and Ronald Dee Etheridge of Oklahoma.

His grandchildren: Terry Pryor (Arkansas), Rhonda Asberry (Texas), Shawn Etheridge (Missouri), Michael Etheridge (Missouri), Wendy Lambert (Texas), Cheri Freedman (Oregon), Christy Bostick (Oklahoma), Angie Rogers (Oklahoma), Katy Etheridge (Oklahoma).

His Great-Grandchildren: Patrick Asberry, Sara Asberry, Riley Etheridge, Kennedy Wuebker, Jack Etheridge, Ian Lambert, Charlie Lambert, Colin Lambert, Luke Etheridge, Nathan Etheridge, Kathrine Etheridge, Parker Freedman, Paxton Freedman, Emily Bostic, Ariel Addington, Bradon Bostic, Anna Addington, Micah Rogers, Abbie Rogers, and Weston Chambers.

His Great-Great Grandchildren, Mack Wuebker and Elliott Wuebker.

After 101 remarkable years of life, service, laughter, and love, he leaves behind a legacy carried on through the many lives he touched. May calm seas and peaceful waters welcome him home.