JAY A. FIRNEKAS

Born in Buffalo,Wyoming on June 14, 1924 (Flag Day). Died in Glendale, Arizona on December 22, 2015. He is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Mary Anne (Wages); two daughters, Pamela (Ronald) Elser, Phoenix, Arizona and Sandra (Robert) Beissner, Rathdrum, Idaho; two grandsons, Michael (Chrisie) Elser, Glendale, Arizona and Brian (Jennie) Elser, Phoenix, Arizona; two granddaughters, Michele (Neal) Osburn,Talala,Oklahoma and Bobbee (Nathan) Poplawski,Ephrata,Washington; one brother, Dean Firnekas, Buffalo,Wyoming, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Ilo Firnekas Buffalo,Wyoming, brother Calvin Firnekas Buffalo,Wyoming and his beloved aunt Fannie Sackett, Buffalo,Wyoming.

Jay left Wyoming in 1942 to serve in the Armed Services and spent 31 years in federal service. His assignments included one year as an armored M.P in China, Burma and India for which he received the rare Chaing medal from General Chaing Kai-Shek; a member of the ski troops in Alaska; a mortar and machine gun instructor in seven units in the U.S.; a missile and ammunition inspector in Korea; Ammunition Inspection Chief in Vietnam and Vietnam Advisor for the U.S. Embassy. After the U.S. troops left Vietnam, his duties were to assure an orderly turn-over of all ammunition to the South Vietnamese. His last tour was as an instructor for nuclear, missile and gas ammunition at the Army Ammunition School in Savanna, Illinois.

He retired in 1974 and lived nine years in Rogers, Arkansas before moving to Arizona in 1983, living in Sierra Vista, Arizona for 14 years, Benson, Arizona for 10 years and finally, Glendale, Arizona.

There will be a memorial service for Jay at Skinner Memorial Chapel at Providence Place at Glencroft, 8641 N. 67th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, January 23, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. Everyone welcome.