Jay Carr

Jay Carr, age 80, of Baker City, Oregon, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at the Idaho State Veterans Home, Boise, Idaho, where he had been a resident since November 2025. Jay, son of John and Connie Carr, grew up in Steelville, MO, with his brother Tom and sister Sally.

Jay graduated from Steelville High School at the ripe age of 16 and entered college at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall. Somehow, he was allowed to live off campus with older students, and they evidently had too much fun and not much of a GPA. Jay took a break from college for a couple of years while he worked at the Ford Plant in K.C., MO.

With the draft hanging over his head, he enlisted in the Navy and completed Great Lakes Hospital Corps School, thinking he'd meet some cute nurses. Instead, he ended up on the front lines in Vietnam in the 1st Marine Division as a Hospital Corpsman. Jay did his year of active duty in Vietnam, finishing his service in Japan. Jay was quite humble, not wishing to bring attention to himself, but he was awarded several medals during his service. His feeling about any war was the same as a quote from William Tecumseh Sherman that he kept in a dresser drawer over the years: “It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.”

Jay returned to the University with a different outlook on life and college classes. Rather than feel defeated with a less-than-acceptable GPA, he put effort into his studies and received his Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture in 1972, followed by his Master's Degree in Animal Husbandry, focusing on animal genetics. While at Mizzou, he met Eth (Ethelyn) as they passed each other on the sidewalk, headed to 7:40 A.M. classes. Jay always told Eth he was attracted to her legs. It was Jay's heartwarming smile each morning that attracted Eth to Jay. Over the years, people have always commented on his sparkling eyes and warm smile. For the last several months spent in the Idaho State Veterans Home, staff and residents have been charmed by his precious smile, which made others smile, and he'd smile even more. Who would think a simple smile would bring so much pleasure to others on a daily basis?

From Missouri, Jay and Eth moved to Cortez, CO. Jay worked an assortment of blue-collar jobs until he landed a job with the Montana State Experiment Station three months later. There, he worked on the development of the Line 1 cattle. Even though calving season required long, cold hours, working day and night, it was his favorite job assignment at the station. Many a cold night, he was called out to pull calves and never complained.

The Carrs then moved to Medford, OR, where Jay worked for Oregon State University as a County Agriculture Agent. He liked working with the farmers/ranchers, but moving to Medford sight unseen, he soon discovered it was too populated for his liking. That resulted in a transfer to Lakeview, OR, where the wide open range was a welcome change for the next 8 years. 1990 brought Jay and Eth to Baker City, where he was promoted to Professor and worked the next 15 years as Chairman and Agriculture Agent at the Baker County Extension Office. For the last several months of his career, Jay served as State Beef Specialist in Corvallis. Over the years, Jay served on numerous local, state, and national committees related to agriculture and was honored with many awards for his accomplishments. Retirement began in 2005.

Jay traveled to Mozambique, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan through Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development and OSU to provide information on a wide variety of agricultural practices. The people were hungry for information to improve their production of commodities. Jay noted that while many lived in poverty, they were eager to learn and were so happy for any little thing he could assist them with. While in Azerbaijan, a local farmer was distraught because his cow was bloated and suffering terribly. Jay asked them for some cooking oil and a hose, which he stuck down the cow's throat to relieve her of gas. They thought he was a miracle worker. Something so simple yet so important helped provide the farmers with a means to save livestock with readily available resources.

Throughout his life, Jay was an avid hunter, taught by his father, John. Jay loved the outdoors, hiking, photography, bird watching, visiting national parks, camping, reading, and opera. Jay and Eth made time every year for a vacation of some kind. In the early years of their marriage, lots of hiking, hunting, and backpacking trips were taken. Being frugal over the early years made it possible for them to travel internationally, focusing on photography, a hobby both enjoyed, with the Serengeti and Norwegian Arctic being favorite destinations. Neither Jay nor Eth wanted to be in debt, so they began their life in Miles City, purchasing furniture one or two pieces at a time until they were able to furnish their home. Buying a refrigerator, stove, and washer/dryer took precedence over sleeping in a bed.

Jay grew up squirrel hunting with beagles Drum and Penny. In Miles City, Jay and Eth purchased a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd pup for $3 from a rancher's child. Leroy was a great companion for 15 years, and I know he will be wagging his tail when he meets Jay in the heavens above.

So friends, another quote Jay kept from the funeral of one of his supervisors: “The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place not faith in time, for the clock may soon be still.” The clock has stopped for Jay. As he lived, he passed from this earthly domain to his heavenly home with a smile - quietly and peacefully. Semper fi.

Jay is survived by Eth, his sister Sally (Don), in-laws Gale, Barbara, John Arthur (Sally), and Becky. His nieces Stephanie (Kevin), Shannon (Steve), David, Catrina (Joel), Jessica, Cheryl (Aaron), Amie, Sara (Aaron), Jack (Carrie), Travis, and Eddie (Christina), and numerous grand-nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves behind so many treasured colleagues and friends made over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Connie, his brother Tom, and brother-in-law Michael Dean (Charlene).

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity or cause of your choice. This may be done through Cole's Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814. Services will be held June 19th, 2026, at the Nazarene Church, 1250 Hughes Lane, Baker City, OR, at 11:00, with a meal to follow for friends, family, and colleagues. To remember Jay, go out and SMILE for someone, and stop to appreciate nature's beauty and its creatures.