A memorial to celebrate the life of AQHA Judge and Stewart Jay Grubb will be held on August 3rd in the Sales Pavillion at 7:30 pm during the the AQHYA World Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Grubb was a well respected horseman that will be missed by many in the industry. AQHA judges Casey Devitt and Milt Alderman talked openly about the effect he had on their lives during a show in Wilmington, Ohio a few weeks back.
Alderman who knew him for over 30 years said he was a great guy and good friend. “Whenever I talked to him on the phone, he always was upbeat and made my day. I will surely miss my close friend.”
AQHA judge and Steward Casey Devitt also mentioned that he always enjoyed his company. “Jay had so many talents. He could have been famous but he never wanted any of that–he was such an unassuming and humble guy.”
Executive Director of AQHA judges Alex Ross adds, “Jay was a very gracious person and an excellent representative of AQHA in many ways. As a judge, he was always fair with his evaluation of horses or exhibitors and courteous to all he worked with. Jay also was also an excellent steward when working an AQHA world show,” he said. “I also remember Jay offering to donate horses for the AQHA Judges Qualifying Exam, which he did when asked. He was always willing to give for the benefit of the Quarter Horse industry.”
Natasha Simmons, Jay Grubb’s fiance, worked with AQHA and specifically Charlie Hemphill, and Cory Brown to coordinate the service. “Anyone is welcome to stop by and pay their respects and say goodbye to him,” Natasha said. “His friend NRHA trainer Troy Heikes is flying in from Arizona to speak. We will have a book for people to sign and pay their respects. We have also put together a DVD of pictures of Jay for everyone to see.”
Simmons also mentions that the finals of the youth reining may be going on during the time of the memorial service, and many trainers may not be able to attend. Natasha says that she will have a table set up in the warm up arena near the coliseum showing the DVD and the book for people to sign a few hours before the service if people would like to stop by then too.
“I think this is the best and most convenient time for everyone to get together and have the service since many of his friends are in Oklahoma City for the Youth World,” Natasha said. “Everybody please spread the word about the service, and I hope to see many of you there.”
Natasha is asking for people to donate to Jay Grubb’s Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers to help with the cost of his funeral expenses.
McClain Bank-Jay Grubb Memorial Fund131 West Main StreetPurcell, OK 73080-4242 |
(405) 527-6503
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey’s quicker,
For some the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey’s quicker,
For some the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord
Author unknown
