Help Us Honor Jays Legacy

In Loving Memory of Jay: Help Us Honor a Marine, Healer, Husband, and Beloved Father

Jay served our country with pride and courage as a United States Marine. After his service, he dedicated himself to a second calling: helping others heal. As a respected chiropractor in Fountain Valley, Jay spent decades easing pain, restoring mobility, and bringing hope to hundreds of patients. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave, ready with a warm smile and a compassionate word.

Above all, Jay was an extraordinary father to Alanna, Katherine, and Christian. He was present at every major event, always offering a steady hand and an encouraging word. His children knew they were loved unconditionally, and they watched their dad face life's toughest challenges with courage and grace—lessons they will carry with them forever.

Jay married the love of his life, Kristen, and their partnership was the cornerstone of his strength. From the moment they said "I do," they supported each other through every challenge, celebrating victories and standing strong through the darkest moments.

In 2018, Jay received a prognosis no one should ever hear: inoperable cancer, and he wouldn’t see five more years. But Jay had other plans. With indomitable will and unwavering positivity, he refused to accept that verdict. He fired his doctor and proved them wrong. He entered his seventh year of treatment, showing incredible resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

However, after years of fighting, the toll of radiation and chemotherapy became too much. His lungs, esophagus, and thyroid were badly damaged, and he endured severe weight loss, eventually requiring supplemental oxygen and a feeding tube to survive. But with typical Jay determination, he managed to get off both the oxygen and the feeding tube. Just when it seemed like he was turning a corner, he learned that the cancer had spread to other organs.

Jay’s journey was far from easy. Last September, he began another round of chemotherapy and faced numerous challenges, including surgery for a painful hernia and a shoulder that required surgical replacement. But even through all the pain, Jay never lost his optimism and hope.

By mid-March, Jay’s breathing became labored, and he began experiencing troubling changes in his vision. Though there were no clear signs of a stroke, that’s exactly what had occurred. His heart was operating at only 15-20% efficiency. Kristen rushed him to the ER on March 25th for a blood transfusion, hoping he’d be able to return home the next day. Unfortunately, Jay’s heart stopped twice that night, and he continued to have strokes throughout the week. Despite additional transfusions, his condition worsened. On March 28th, surrounded by his family, Jay passed away peacefully at 8 p.m.

Even in his final days, Jay’s humor and love shone through. Now, we want to honor his memory and be able to give him a dignified memorial and the joyful send-off he deserves.

Please help Kristen, Alanna, and Kathy reach their goal of $5,000 to cover cremation, and funeral expenses. Your generosity will allow us to celebrate his life—his service, his healing hands, his boundless optimism—and to gather together in love, laughter, and gratitude for the incredible man he was.

Thank you for your support and for helping us salute Jay’s legacy.