"Papa" Jay Arthur Eggert

On the evening of May 17, 2015, "Papa Jay", as lovingly known to family and friends old and new, passed away at age 67 in Temecula, California, at home surrounded by family. He fought an intense 6 month battle with characteristic positivity against an undetermined diagnosis, which turned out to be a Neurodegenerative Disease as well as Parkinson's, preceded by a 6 month battle with Lymphoma. From the beginning, he comforted us with his belief that "I am fortunate for all that I have, and I will beat this".

Jay was born September 6, 1947, and was brought home to Mason City, Iowa when he was adopted by his parents Emmanuel "Manny" John Henry Eggert and Gladys Wilhelmina Pusch Eggert, for whom throughout life he expressed the greatest amount of love, respect, and admiration. Their first child and only son, he was joined by sister Kathryn Christine Eggert for a very happy childhood and loving family.

A beautiful example of Jay's young life is from his Cousin Delmer Eggert, who remembers their families always together in church and for dinner on Sundays and holidays, and that Jay's loving qualities were genuine, and that there was no one sweeter than his mother, no one more generous than his father. Those who know Papa Jay can attest to the fact that he emulated his parents through all life experiences.

Jay's sister Kathy laughingly recalls learning to overcome being ticklish from being pinned down in sibling tickle challenges, and endless evenings at the dinner table on stewed tomato night while they both heartily resisted. Kathy entered school known as "Jay's sister", and was proud of it. Her big brother protected his little sister, and through thick and thin, she remembers her brother as loving unconditionally, and expresses thankfulness for being blessed with him, as he truly was grateful for everything he had.

Few funny stories from Jay's life do not include the names and antics of his longest and dearest friends, Kenny Steil and Bob Zea. Friends for life, these three have always supported each other through childhood shenanigans and major life events, even while separated by great distances. It was obvious this bond has never lessened when Bob traveled to spend time with Papa Jay recently, and Kenny will be representing this dear friendship in giving his eulogy.

In 1969 Jay joined the Army, and through the years and tours became a medic and paratrooper with the elite Green Berets, serving his country and making his family proud, and continued to serve with the Reserves for years. In 1972, after he graduated from Carthage College in Wisconsin, Jay came to San Diego. On December 29th, 1973 he married Marisol "Mari" Dolores Morales, and had a daughter, Marisa, and a son Jason. Over the years he was employed by Carnation, then Knudsen Dairy, where he was loved by his coworkers and spoiled by the customers on his route. Though Jay and Mari eventually divorced, the family first enjoyed several years living in San Diego and took regular camping trips, with favorites being Yosemite and Yellowstone. He was a hardworking family man who was very involved with Penasquitos Lutheran Church and the Rancho Penasquitos Golf Club, who had a great love of golf, watching all sports, and the outdoors.

Fortunate to find love a second time, on May 23rd, 1998 Jay married Antonia "Toni" Eggert. He gained a large family including a stepson and stepdaughter, and soon the first grandchildren on whom he absolutely doted. Toni worked at Pechanga Resort and Casino and Jay soon joined her, gaining another very close and caring "work" family. Both families quickly adopted him as their own "Papa Jay". Jay and Toni very much enjoyed traveling, with visits to see family in Iowa and Mexico, and trips they planned together to Europe. Jay continued to enjoy the outdoors, doing some local fishing with his son Jason and dreaming of taking his canoe out on the water, and for his 60th birthday, his wish was to skydive… and so he did. Jay and Toni shared as much time together as possible, and loved spending time with their children and grandchildren. Until his last day, Toni and her family took the greatest loving care to make Jay comfortable and remind him how loved he was.

Jay was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Emmanuel and Gladys Eggert.

Jay is survived by his loving wife Toni Eggert, and her children and grandchildren, whom he adored; her daughter Danielle and husband Jason Guttirez and their girls Ariana, Sabrina, and Olivia, and her son Arthur Ayala and his fiancee Krystal. He is also survived by his sister Kathryn Eggert, his son Jason, and his daughter Marisa and her husband Paul Rudge, along with their sons Rylan Brian and Hudson Jay, who shared special bonds with Papa Jay; the former by being his first grandson, and the latter by taking his name.

A man could not have been more adored by his friends and family than Papa Jay; he truly was a rare gentle soul, calm and kind and generous, who never raised his voice, and had the ability to make you feel like you were already a far better person than you ever thought you could be. Papa Jay will be immeasurably missed.