Jay Lee Janssen, 63, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2026, in Denison, Texas.

Jay was born on July 9, 1963, in Canyon, Texas, to Henry Duane Janssen and Margret Widner Janssen Betzen. He graduated from Hereford High School in Hereford, Texas, in 1981.

Jay was a truck driver through and through. Trucking wasn't just his job it was a huge part of who he was. His red Peterbilt, or “the Pete” as it was known, was his pride and joy. If you knew Jay, you knew how much that truck meant to him. He loved all things trucking and could talk trucks with just about anyone.

Outside of trucking, Jay was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and loved baseball. He also had quite the sweet tooth and was always happy to have some ice cream or cheesecake.

Jay was strong-willed, and he wasn't afraid to let you know what he thought. But beneath that stubborn exterior was a man with a genuinely caring heart. He meant well, cared deeply about the people in his life, and had a funny sense of humor that could catch you off guard. He had his own way of doing things, his own opinions, and a personality that was unmistakably Jay.

Jay is survived by his mother, Margret Widner Janssen Betzen; his siblings, Sherry Davis, Susan Gutierrez, Laura Smith, and Jeff Janssen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who loved him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Duane Janssen.

Jay leaves behind memories that cannot be replaced and a space in the hearts of those who knew and loved him that will never quite be filled. He will be remembered for his red Pete, his love for the Cubs and baseball, his sweet tooth, his stubbornness, his humor, and most importantly, the caring heart beneath it all.

He was uniquely Jay, and he will be deeply missed.