Jay B Crowther June 22, 1945 - July 28, 2026

Jay B Crowther was born June 22, 1945, at Hill AFB, Utah, to Chester and Delilah Crowther.

Jay passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, at the age of 81 – a perfect square, something he appreciated as a lifelong lover of mathematics. Jay suffered a stroke while in Ashford, Washington, surrounded by family as they gathered to celebrate his grandson’s wedding.

Jay was the oldest of three brothers. Growing up, he loved every opportunity to be outdoors. As a boy, he spent countless hours playing in streams, and as he grew older his love of adventure expanded to hiking, fishing, hunting, skin diving, kayaking, and riding his motorcycle. He also learned judo and loved teaching his younger brothers, Victor and Marvin, a few of his moves. His judo skills remained a source of pride throughout his life. Together, the three brothers kept their parents on their toes with endless childhood adventures.

Jay’s curiosity extended far beyond the outdoors. He loved building electronics projects, including assembling his own shortwave radio set. His mother encouraged her sons to explore every opportunity, so Jay also took violin and tap-dancing lessons – even having lessons alongside the Osmond Brothers for a time. While those talents made for great stories, it was the mountains, rivers, and wide-open spaces that ultimately captured his heart. He was exceptionally intelligent, mild-mannered, and the kind of person others naturally felt comfortable approaching.

As a young man, Jay served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago, Illinois. Throughout his life, he loved sharing stories of miracles he witnessed and the many ways he felt protected by the Lord during those years. His mission became one of the defining experiences of his life and deepened a faith that remained steadfast until the end.

After returning home, he attended BYU, where he met the love of his life, Rebecca Starke Crowther. Rebecca was drawn to his quiet confidence, gentle spirit, and deep understanding of the gospel. She brought energy and fire to the relationship, while Jay brought calm and steadiness. Together they found joy in discussing the gospel, strengthening one another’s faith, and building an eternal partnership. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on January 22, 1968.

Jay graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry before serving two years as an officer in the United States Army. His early military service and early career took his growing family to Texas, Colorado, California, and New Jersey. Never one to stop learning, he earned his MBA from Widener University in Pennsylvania while attending three years of night classes, all while working full-time and raising a young family. Eventually, Jay and Rebecca returned to Utah to be closer to family, where they would put down roots for the rest of their lives.

In Utah, Jay took a leap of faith and opened an insurance agency. He often joked that he was “a chemist turned Allstate agent.” Though naturally introverted, he developed a remarkable ability to connect with people through genuine kindness, integrity, and thoughtful service. His hard work and quiet determination built a thriving Allstate business that became his lifelong career.

Together, Jay and Rebecca raised seven children and were blessed with twenty-two grandchildren. His children knew him as a father who challenged them to think deeply, strengthen their faith, trust in the Lord, pursue education, appreciate the beauty of nature, and always be ready for one of his legendary Dad jokes. Sarcasm came naturally to him, often delivered so subtly that only those who knew him best realized he was joking.

As their family grew and grandkids came along, Jay and Rebecca began a treasured tradition known as “Cousin Camp.” By then they were affectionately known as Meme and Papa. Every summer, the cousins ages ten and older gathered for adventures, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Papa loved each grandchild individually and made sure they knew it. Every Cousin Camp ended with a devotional, where he would often look each grandchild in the eyes and simply say, “I want you to know that I love you.” He taught us all to love.

Jay was always involved in a project. He constructed treehouses with his children, led countless Scout adventures, coached numerous soccer teams, and taught by example the value of hard work. He possessed an endless curiosity and remarkable confidence that if he didn’t know how to do something, he could learn.

When he and Rebecca discovered a piece of land for sale in Salem, Utah, they drew up house plans, sold the family home in Fruit Heights, and built a new home with the help of their children. Every one of them contributed in some way. Decades later, that home remains the heart of the family – a gathering place and legacy filled with memories, laughter, and love.

Jay found deep satisfaction working the land. He created a small vineyard so he could make “Papa’s Fresh Grape Juice,” a fall tradition he delighted in sharing with family and friends. He planted hundreds of peach and apple trees, mastered the art of growing watermelons, and found joy in nurturing whatever he planted. Working outdoors remained one of his greatest pleasures until the very end.

In 2019, after fifty-one years of marriage, Jay lost his beloved Rebecca to dementia. Though that chapter brought profound sorrow, the Lord blessed him with another unexpected gift. He married JoAnn Olsen Adams, often saying that marriage had treated him well and he felt fortunate to find love again.

JoAnn joined the Crowther family on March 16, 2019. She and Jay blended their two families remarkably. JoAnn brought three children and eight grandchildren, and together they became devoted grandparents to all. Whether it was a graduation, wedding, funeral, ball game, dance recital, family reunion, or everyday milestone, they showed up. In his seventies, Jay still loved to hike whenever he could. JoAnn often joked that she had never hiked so much in her life as she had during the seven years they shared together.

Travel was another of Jay’s great joys. Throughout his life, he and Rebecca made it a priority to create memories through family vacations and individual vacations with their children. Whether it was camping in the mountains, driving across the US, or visiting a new country, Jay loved to take his loved ones on shared adventures. In later years, he continued that love of travel with JoAnn. Together they explored both the United States and destinations around the world, embracing new cultures, beautiful landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.

In his later years, Jay faced the challenge of macular degeneration, gradually losing much of his eyesight, yet he never allowed it to define him or diminish his joy. With remarkable resilience and a positive attitude, he adapted to each new limitation with patience and humor. He continued to serve, travel, spend time outdoors, and invest in the people he loved, reminding those around him that life’s greatest blessings are found not in what we can see, but in how we choose to see the world.

The day before Jay passed away, he spent the morning doing two of the things he loved most – hiking in the beauty of God’s mountains and being surrounded by his family. Even with his limited eyesight, Jay wanted to hike. He had never been one to let obstacles decide what he could or couldn’t do. Step by step, his children gently guided both him and JoAnn along the trail, helping them navigate the uneven terrain. Though he could barely see, Jay never wanted to be fussed over. He simply pressed on with quiet determination, grateful to be there. Looking back, it could not have been a more fitting way to spend one of his final days – walking through the mountains he loved, hand in hand with the people he loved most.

To summarize Jay’s life is nearly impossible, but a few qualities stand above the rest. He listened before he spoke. He solved problems thoughtfully – often getting answers through dreams. He taught by quiet example rather than by loud words. He was a devoted BYU fan who rarely missed a football or basketball game and proudly held football season tickets for many years alongside his business partner and dear friend, Ryan.

Jay was brilliant without seeking recognition, adventurous without seeking attention, and simply enjoyable to be around, because you never knew when he’d drop a famous “one-liner,” for example, “Never spit into the wind.” Somehow he found a lesson in nearly every experience.

Above all else, Jay loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His relationship with Heavenly Father was the foundation upon which he built every other part of his life. Because of that faith, he devoted himself to serving his family, his ward, his friends, and anyone in need with quiet, unwavering strength.

Jay is survived by his wife, JoAnn Adams Crowther; his siblings, Victor Crowther (Carol), and Marvin Crowther (Norene), his children, Nathan Crowther (Danette), Camille Crowther, David Crowther (Emma), Jennah Martin (David), Tasha Eagar (Clint), Sarelle Pike, Evan Crowther; his step-children, Paul Adams (Rachael), Andrea Langston (Dean), Brent Baldwin (Tina); his 29 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Delilah Crowther; his wife, Rebecca Lois Starke Crowther; and his grandson, Caleb Martin.

His legacy is not found only in the home he built, the trees he planted, the business he grew, or the traditions he created. It lives on in the people he loved, the faith he passed on, and the countless lives made better because they knew him.
He will be deeply missed until the joyful day our family is together again.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor Jay’s memory, please consider supporting a cause that was especially close to his heart. Jay’s grandson, Elder Caleb Martin, passed away in January after faithfully serving on the Navajo Nation. Caleb’s family is raising funds to bless families on the reservation he came to love. Jay was looking forward to joining the family in October to serve alongside them. While he won’t be there in person, we like to think he’ll be cheering the work on from the other side. A donation in Jay’s memory would mean so much to our family, and even more to the families it will bless.
Wood Sheds for Navajo Families

A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 470 E. Canal Road, Salem, Utah. An additional viewing will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m. at the church prior to the funeral services.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the same location.

Interment will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the Salem City Cemetery, 965 South 130 East, Salem, Utah.  Due to Salem Days Parade traffic, Salem City has provided a recommended route to the cemetery.  See the map below: