Jay Dean Betts born on February 14, 1957, in Payson, Utah to Dean and Betty Jane Betts peacefully passed away on December 12, 2024. Jay was raised in Spanish Fork and graduated with the class of 1975 from Spanish Fork High School.
Jay married Laura Marie Coakwell, and they were blessed with three sons: Joshua, Justin, Jentry and one daughter, Jacey. Jay and Laura eventually divorced. He found love again with Michelle Hansen, and they were married September 4, 2021, in Payson, Utah. He and Michelle had a daughter, Haley. Jay welcomed three stepchildren into his life, Savannah, Ryan, and Tyson. He cherished spending time with his family.
He worked for the National Forest Service for many years grading roads and fighting fires. Later, Jay was employed as a heavy equipment operator for HE Davis and Sons and operated a dozer for Sunroc. He retired after 47 years.
Jay was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and skeet shooting. He spent time growing fruit and vegetables in his garden and cooked incredible meals for friends and family.
Jay was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a boy scout leader for many years and led service projects with Spanish Fork youth. He received the Top Instructor award from Spanish Fork City in the Spring of 2024.
He is survived by his mother Betty Betts of Spanish Fork, Utah; wife, Michelle of Payson, Utah; children, Joshua Dean Betts of Ogden, Utah, Justin Ralph (Autumn) Betts of Payson, Utah, Jentry Gordon (Madison) Betts of Payson, Utah, and Haley Betts of Payson, Utah; stepchildren, Savannah Hansen of Provo, Utah, Ryan Dean of Payson, Utah, and Tyson Dean of Payson, Utah; and grandchildren, Dutton Jay Betts, Jackson Reid, Jeremiah, Avery, and Sophie Kinsley. He will also be greatly missed by his siblings, Anna Marie (Dave) Hanson of Spanish Fork, Shauna (Mike) Woodhouse of Payson, Utah, and Lori (Scott) Lewis of Springville, Utah, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jay was preceded in death by his father Dean, daughter Jacey Lucille Betts, and grandson Alexander Dean Betts.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Spanish Fork Cemetery located at 420 South 400 East in Spanish Fork, Utah. There will be a viewing from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah.
2 Condolences for Jay Dean Betts
Condolences(2)
Sisie Burnell says
December 15, 2024 at 10:36 pmJD was awesome to work with at H.E. Davis and Sunroc. His smile and friendliness will be missed.
Jeff Gustin says
December 17, 2024 at 10:29 pmI am so sorry to hear this even though I haven’t seen Jay in many years he was always so fun and active.We had so many fun scout trips with JD and his dad those were great days.It’s funny cause I was just talking the other day about him and trying to reconnect and laughing about stories that he was a part of .again Betty I am so sorry