Jay Dean Wilson

Jay Dean Wilson was welcomed into the Wilson family on April 13, 1957.  He was born in Waterloo, Iowa, the third of seven Wilson children, and raised by his loving parents, Robert Dean and Mardene (Fisher) Wilson.  Jay entered his heavenly home on August 10, 2023, at the family home where he was loved and raised.

Jay was baptized and raised in the Dysart United Methodist Church where his family squeezed into one pew and his mother passed down one roll of Certs during the sermon in attempts to keep them all quiet and still.  Jay attended his school years at Dysart-Geneseo Schools graduating in 1975.  He was involved in basketball, band, golf, but his passion was Vo-Ag and Future Farmers of America. With his large and rugged stature, he probably would have been perfect on the football team, but putting his priorities in order, football is during harvest season and farming came first.  

Jay loved his college days at Iowa State University and was a proud Cyclone.  He graduated in 1978 with a degree in Farm Operations, which was no surprise for anyone.  He built many life-long friendships and cherished his memories as he shared stories with his family.  In past years, he enjoyed getting back on campus and attending ISU football games. The words of advice he gave his young nephews were, “I sure did learn a lot at Iowa State, but it wasn’t necessarily in the classroom.”

From an early age, Jay loved to play in the dirt, tinker around and attempt to “fix” things, and get behind the wheel and drive tractors and trucks.  As an adult, he continued these behaviors and just expanded upon them.  The GPS or a map was of no use to him, as on his trucking adventures he always seemed to find “a better way” to get places, while not always the fastest or efficient and yes, he did get lost at times.

Jay carried through with his life-long dream of being a farmer.  He began his farming career in the Elberon, Keystone, and Dysart areas.  His community and neighbors welcomed him with open arms.  He loved to lend a helping hand to a neighbor, while sometimes forgetting his own work at home.  He took a special interest in his neighbor boys and loved to share his passion for country living and farming.  

Jay lived a simple life.  He didn’t require a lot of attention.  He would show up late and was famous for his Irish good-byes.  (Leaving without letting anyone know he was gone.)  He drove simple vehicles and his impeccable wardrobe could be credited to his sisters and nieces.  He would randomly show up at the niece’s and nephew’s events unannounced and in the background, but he was the proud Uncle in the stands.  Some special memories were state fair trips, fishing at the lake, hatchet throwing, target shooting and pretty much anything his nieces and nephews could talk him into.  

If Jay would have his last words to say, and we all know he would have something to say, it might be something like,
“Well, ya know . . . I was a simple man.  I was a smart man.  I loved my family, friends, neighbors and neighbor boys.  I was a farmer and I was proud of it!”
Those left to cherish his memories are his siblings, Chuck (Marilyn) Wilson, Mary Beth Wilson-Steck, Wade Wilson, Chris (Donna) Wilson and Sue (Dave) Graham.  His nieces and nephews, Shelby Steck, Sam Steck, Chase Wilson, Gage Wilson, Elizabeth Wilson, Emily Wilson, Parker Wilson, Nathan (Jena) Graham and Lyla, Jordan Graham (Kaitlyn Lee), and Landon Graham.  Also, his Uncle Charles Fisher, along with cousins and many neighbors and friends.

Those preceding him in death are his parents, Robert Dean and Mardene Wilson, brother, Ross Wilson, and niece, RaeAnna Wilson.