Jay Stovall

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Jay Stovall[/gn_heading]

After completing one last circle (ride) through his ranch and cattle, Jay knew his work was done and rode through the gates of heaven. Jay O. Stovall, 71, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at St. Vincent Healthcare ending a struggle with a heart condition. Once his fate was known, his family fulfilled his one last wish to ride through his ranch and cattle while looking over the Pryor and Big Horn mountains where he spent a lifetime cowboying and ranching on the Crow Reservation.

Jay was born on March 2, 1940 in Billings, to Orville R. "Tog" Stovall and Margaret (Stevens) Stovall-Schafer. He married the love of his life and true lifetime partner, Juanita J. (Schuppe) Stovall on August 2, 1960.

Our father, husband, grandpa, friend and neighbor was loved by many as they all cherished their moments in time with him. Jay loved to ranch and cowboy and he loved the art of cowboying - that was all he would talk about -unless he was talking about politics. A conservative, Christian, family-businessman who felt if you did not like the way things were going, you have the ability to change it. As a gentle giant, he was generous and kind to the people around him but could be demanding with high expectations especially to those who were close to him. Jay would not do anything to just to do it, "that would be a waste of time." Everything he did had a purpose with an end goal in mind as he expected all of us to be productive. His one other love was people. He believed in people and would always make time to visit. Jay and Juanita might not be the first couple to the party but they would for sure be one of the last to leave. He was a strong leader who touched the hearts of many but he had a soft spot for cowboys, especially the cowboys that worked for him. During his later years, one of his favorite times would be to ride around the ranch on his ATV RZR checking on the cattle, grass, water, and on the cowboys. He loved to feed cowboys, whether it was bringing it out on his RZR or bringing the big hot meals out with mom. "Ma," as he would call for Juanita, loyally stood beside Jay through good times and bad. They were a true love story and you would never see them apart all the way to the end. Their partnership of over 51 years was a beacon to many. Behind this great man is a strong woman who helped him succeed. He loved his family, his neighbors and friends. However, he had a special love for his grandchildren - late night chocolate Sundays, hunting excursions and always being there when needed.

Jay grew up cowboying during the days before horse trailers and fences, on his parent's and his uncles' ranches' which were spread from north of Pompey's Pillar to Lodge Grass to Red Lodge. The art of cowboying was important to him and ranch work was done horseback. One of his greatest honors was to be asked to be the Trail Boss for the 1989 Montana Centennial Cattle Drive. This became a spring board to Jay's public service career as a MT State House Representative (8 years) and MT Public Service Commissioner (4 years). Prior to his state public service, Jay was appointed by President George H. Bush to represent Indian and minority issues in education and in the USDA. He was a proud enrolled member of the Crow Tribe and felt that he needed to help give Crow's a voice. Most recently, Jay was appointed to the Cattlemen's Beef Board. He was a proud long-term member of MT Stockgrowers and NILE while being a charter member of the National Cattlemen's Association (today known as NCBA). Jay was a longtime member of the Al Bedoo Shrine and was active in the Black Horse Patrol Unit. His fond memory as Patrol Captain was when the unit escorted President Reagan's stagecoach into the Metra and welcoming him with a handshake off the coach before the President's speech to Montanans. He loved to talk about the horseback ride down Pennsylvania Avenue with fellow Montanans during the Inauguration Parade of President George W. Bush. Jay lived life to the fullest.

Our dad was the happiest when he was horseback and we can now see him riding his favorite horse while working on the things he so loved - once again. Jay is survived by his best friend and wife Juanita, his sons Jay Jr. "Manny" (Lee Ann), Tyler and Turk (Jenny); his grandchildren Hannah, Alicia and Levi. He was preceded in death by his parents his siblings, Orville R. "Buzzer" (Betty) Stovall Jr, Ileta (Leonard) Dailey, Joyce (Dick) Glenn.

Thanks Dad, pops, papa, grandpa, "Unc"(Uncle), Big Jay for making our days brighter and better with your love and smile. Peace be with you as you will be missed and eternally loved.

The casket will be open for visitation on Wednesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. There will be no viewing at the church the day of the funeral. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, December 23, at First Presbyterian Church (13th St. W and Poly Dr.). Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A Reception will be held at the Elk's Lodge, 934 Lewis Ave. after the burial.

Memorials may be made to The Shrine Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family in this time of loss.. We will all miss Mr. Jay, he truly was a fine man.. May you all be comforted in knowing that he is now in a much better place and not in pain.. With deepest sympathy we remain.. Butch & Shannon Bratsky

Juanita and family;

I am so saddened by your loss and send prayers for Jay and your family. I learned to love you both during my political days. You guided me and gave me a smile whenever I came near. What a wonderful legacy.

Kathy Newton McLane

A giant of man with a heart to match. I always enjoyed the Stovall’s as they entered my office at Senior High School. Such a joyful sincere couple. Truly one of a kind! Your lessons have been learned, and now you know all the answers. Soar among the angels as you did here in earth. Blessings to the family. Tina McLean

Juanita: My deepest sympathy is with you on the death of this great man. I had the pleasure of working with Jay when he served in the legislature. My dad, Glenn Cain, had been friends with you and Jay, so when he came to Helena to serve in the Legislature we already had an established friendship. Again my deepest sympathy for your loss. Candace Payne

If it is true what they say about the best way to judge a man is through his legacy and what he leaves behind- what a great man Jay was! Growing up, my dad (Bob Stovall) would always speak of Jay with very high regard, and pride that they (we) were family. Although our meetings with Jay were sparse and routinely brief, they were memorable and left an impression. All our prayers and sympathies to to Juanita, Manny, Tyler and Turk-as well as his other countless family and friends. All our Love- The Arizona Stovalls- Fran, Kelly, Holly, Eric, Joe and Priscilla.

I remember my grandfather as a man with a heart as big as gold. He always loved to spend time with his boys and with his grandchildren. Such things he loved to do was to watch movies with his grandchildren while having pizza parties and having chocolate sundaes at midnight. My grandpa also loved watching his cattle and ranch. When I was a little girl, I remember wanting to go out and ride on the four wheeler. He would always make an attempt to take me on an afternoon ride with my oxygen on the side of the petal. He also loved to watch my cousins and I put on plays in the back yard of the old house for him and my grandma. I will always remember my papa as a man who loved life and who cherished us with his whole heart. I love you papa…and it’s hard to say goodbye to you, the worlds best grandpa anybody could’ve ever asked for or wanted Hanna

A good and kind man has left us but he has left us better people for knowing him.

I remember the first time I meet Jay. He was running for the house for the first time and I was helping with campaigns around the state. “A BIG MAN FOR A BIG Job”