Jay Bernerd Humphrey

Jay Bernerd Humphrey

Jay Bernerd Humphrey passed away peacefully at home on March 19, 2018. Jay B was born in Rexford, Kansas, on September 8, 1932, to Joe Bailey and Anna Fern (Riley) Humphrey.
The Humphreys’ moved to Montrose from Rexford in 1932, when Jay B was 3 months old. Jay B graduated from Montrose High School in 1950. Jay B was active in FFA during high school. After graduation he soon began in carpentry career.
He married his high school sweetheart, Bettie Ruben, on November 17, 1951, in the Presbyterian church in Montrose. The late Mark Warner officiated the service. Jay B and Bettie enjoyed 66 years of marriage.
Jay B was a carpenter for 26 years, serving as foreman on many commercial jobs throughout the area. He changed his career in the late 1970’s and went to work for the US Department of Agriculture with Predator Control. He loved working with ranchers and stockmen in the area. He established lifetime friends with many of these families as well as the herders that worked for the Sheep men. He delighted in sharing his world-famous garlic with everyone, but most especially the isolated herders to make their food taste a bit better.
In 1998 Jay B retired. He gardened like a pro after that and treated the garden much like the finish carpenter he was. He even measured between plants to make sure it was perfect! He was also very helpful to his neighbors and was instrumental in managing the irrigation water in the subdivision where they lived. He was especially interested in shooting, guns and gunsmithing. In his later years he spent a good amount of time on his metal lathe.
Jay B is survived by three children, Daniel J Humphrey (Susan), Cheryl Kerschner, and Bernerd Humphrey (Charla). There are also many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Krislyn Grett (Tom), Zach Ray (Erin), Megan Snyder (Dave), and Crissy Simmons (Tim). Great Grandchildren are Karsyn Keith, Emory and Lily Ray, Cole Simmons, Audrey and Garrett Snyder and Cole and Payton Grett. Jay B was proceeded in death by his parents, a son, Keith, a granddaughter, Dana Humphrey and his son-in-law, Jim Kerschner. He also was proceeded in death by 2 brothers, and 4 sisters. He is survived by one sister.
Jay B was a lifetime member of the B.O.P.Elks 1053, the NRA, and the Carpenter Millwright Union. Jay B had a vast interest in many things and excelled in everything he did. He stood as an example to many.
In lieu of flowers, please make donation in JB’s name to HopeWest Hospice or your favorite charity. A Funeral Service is scheduled for Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Montrose Elks Lodge at 2:00 P.M., with interment in Grand View Cemetery, West of Montrose and reception to follow at the Lodge following the interment. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose is assisting the family.