Jay Robert Renick Jr., of Lewistown, OH, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on January 13, 2025.
From the first moment that Jay Robert Renick Jr. entered this world 95 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, he loved his family. Born to Jay Robert Renick Sr. and Anna R. Huber with older sisters Dorothy, 10, and Mary, 8, on the land that they had farmed for generations, he had a lot of family to love.
One of his most treasured childhood memories was his Grandpa Renick taking him for a drive for his very first strawberry milkshake. Over 90 years may have passed from that first sip, but anyone that knows him wouldn’t be surprised by the memory’s staying power. He loved ice cream almost as much as his family.
When he graduated from Lewistown High School in 1947, he went to The Ohio State University to study Dairy Animal Husbandry, eager to learn what he could to benefit the family farm. Whether he was staying with his sister Dorothy or living in the barn with the animals, this time solidified his passion for farming and The Ohio State Buckeyes.
On August 28, 1949, he officially began his own family with the love of his life, Marilyn LeVally Renick. While continuing to run the dairy and grain farm, they expanded that family to include their four beloved daughters: Jerilyn, Jayne, Debi, and Deanna.
As he expanded his family, he continued to expand the dairy farm. This not only meant more cows to milk but more hands needed to help. His sister Mary provided some hands by sending her older boys for unforgettable summers on the farm. He was an active member of the Logan County Farm Bureau Council and Agrarians. He also participated in the Farm Bureau Exchange in 1960-61, welcoming young farmers from around the world to live and work with them like family. All of this hard work was honored when the Renicks were selected as the Ohio Farm Family of the Year in 1964.
His faith and community were so important to him, and he found them both at Lewistown Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was an active member for his entire life. They were instrumental in building the Community Center when they realized there was a need for it, a new opportunity for the church to grow. His commitment to the legacy of the church can be seen through his memorial contributions. He embraced his faith and Christian community wherever he was, but nowhere was ever as precious as Lewistown.
His deep love for Lewistown and Logan County only seemed to grow when he traveled to other parts of the world. Through the United Methodist Church, he and Marilyn served with the Nomads, traveling to wherever they were needed to serve other local church communities. They built churches, rebuilt parsonages, repaired schools, and made more friends in their faith everywhere they went. His handyman skills were put to good use, and he continued this service until his 80s. In addition to traveling to serve, they began traveling to Florida annually, ensuring more quality time with his sisters and their families. He embraced “snowbird” life in their motorhome, continuing to migrate south for the next 35 years.
However, Florida alone wasn’t quite far enough for him. He and Marilyn valued travel from the very beginning. Whether they were visiting Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, touring a farm in Bolivia, or experiencing life in both the Chinese city and countryside, they were gathering stories to share for years to come.
No matter where in the world you would find him, he could find Ohio sports to watch. No summer day was complete without the Reds or Indians playing in the background. His love for OSU may have started with animals but did not stop at football or basketball. He watched and enjoyed it all.
In the final years of his life, he continued to dedicate his time to his family. To visit with him meant watching his phone ringing from his shirt pocket, another friend or family member returning his call. It meant sitting with him on the front porch of their Florida home so that he could wave and talk to everyone walking by it. It meant him, somewhat begrudgingly, agreeing to play dominoes only to finish last to Marilyn’s first.
Jay Robert and Marilyn celebrated 75 years of marriage this August, surrounded by the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who are lucky enough to be here because of their love. Lissa and Lacey Kinney, their granddaughter and great granddaughter as well as caregivers, devoted their time to enriching their lives with trips, activities, plenty of laughs, ice cream, and all of the love.
He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Marilyn; daughters Jerilyn (Gary) Budd, Loogootee, IN; Jayne (Larry) Kinney of Lewistown, OH; Debi (Marv) Seeley of Lakeview, OH; Deanna (Will) Hartnett of Carmel, IN.
Grandchildren Richard (Missy)Kinney, Sam (Chris) Kinney, Melissa (Matt) Kinney, Joshua (Mwanaisha) Budd, Preston (Kara) Budd, Derek (Amanda) Budd, Dani (Will) Hartnett Wickliff.
Great-Grandchildren Jackson Grimes (Makayla), Franklin, Allison, Alexandra, Alivia, Lukas Jay Robert, Lacey Kinney, Parker, Harper, Carson Penhorwood, Gabby (Mason), Mia, Brooklyn, Riley, Zeppelin Budd.
He was excited to expect their first Great-great grandchild later this summer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Dorothy Louise (Clyde) Fairchild, Mary Eleanor (Don) Judy.
Jay Robert’s family extends a special thank you to the staff of Universal Home Health and Hospice Care for their compassion and care.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lewistown Trinity United Methodist Church, 8088 CR 54 Lewistown, OH 43333.
Pastor Rod Brower will begin funeral services at 4:30 pm, Sunday, January 19, with visitation from 2- 4:30 pm. Following services, Jay Robert’s family invites family and friends to a meal at the Lewistown-Trinity United Methodist Church Community Center. Private burial services will be in Huntsville Cemetery.
Arrangements are in the care of Shoffstall Funeral Home, Lakeview, OH. Condolences may be expressed at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.