Obituary

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! It is the end of an era! Jay H. Forjone, 82 years old, of Barboursville, WV, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Jay was born on April 15, 1938, in Lyons, NY, to Anthony "Tony" and Mertice Brand Forjone. He learned the value of hard work by helping on his dad's dairy farm. He was an active member of FFA and 4-H, and graduated from Mynderse Academy in 1956. An early fascination with radios and technology led him to become a HAM radio operator and, as such, he was one of the first civilians in Corning, NY after the flood of 1972, where he helped coordinate rescue and relief efforts, receiving a citation for his work from the National Guard. Jay was a lifetime member of the Canoga Fire Department and a US Navy Veteran. He was an active member of Abundant Hope Baptist Church; he volunteered in the church and his community in Barboursville. For the past 9 years, Jay worked as an engineer and HVAC technician for Hughes Supply Company. He took an interest in electricity early in his life and was mostly self-taught. Jay founded Forjone Electric but then over the years worked across the United States and in Tahiti and Mexico City for companies such as DeSarro, Comtrol, Powell Inc, Casto Technical, and Harris Brothers as a Master Electrician, engineer, and HVAC technician. He had also worked for Sylvania and briefly for the United States Post Office where he handled his own draft notice. Jay took great pride in his work and was known for his excellent reputation in his field. He loved it most when he was able to share his knowledge and teach his trade to newcomers. Jay's greatest work was as a Dad and Grampy. He was a fine son, caring brother, excellent ex-husband, great brother-in-law, wonderful uncle, best son-in-law, kind father-in-law, sweet great Grampy, and such a good, good friend to many. Selfless, gentle, kind, generous, and loving are words frequently used to describe Jay. He was also a wonderful storyteller. He is greatly loved and deeply missed. The loss of this great man is felt by many...he was one of a kind -- one of the last good guys. Jay was preceded in death by his father, Tony; mother, Mertice; stepmother, Alice Knuppenburg; sister, Marie Forjone; brothers, Ernest and Stephen Forjone; brother-in-law, David Prosser; mother-in-law, Ruth G. Hardin; and favorite sister-in-law, Betty Hardin. He is survived by his children, Nina (Jeff) Clayton of Huntington, WV and Jon (Kiera) Forjone of Barboursville, WV whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Tori Johnson, Andrea (Chase) Bockway, Maddie Kazee, and Will, Ben, & Megan Clayton; great grandchildren, Jaxon & Olivia Bockway; sisters, Judi (David) DeWall and Jeannie Tina Prosser; ex-wife but great friend, Nancy Hardin; and cherished family members: Jane & Barney Wells, Keith & Judy Hardin, and Frank & Frankie Hardin; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and many friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Abundant Hope Baptist Church, Barboursville, by Pastor Paul Harris. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, WV.