Jay Dean Christie

April 2, 1935 – July 26, 2016

Cremation rites have been held for Jay D. Christie, 81, of Bandon, Ore., under the direction of Nelson’s Bay Area Mortuary, Coos Bay.

Jay was born April 2, 1935, in Seattle, the son of John D. and Althea Bernice (Adams) Christie. He passed away July 26, 2016, at Coos Bay.

Jay was raised and educated in Oak Harbor, and after high school he enlisted in the Navy where he served as a boiler man/fireman from 1953 to 1956.

Jay was married to Molly Rodriguez on Aug. 21, 1954, in Las Vegas, Nev., and they made their home in Oak Harbor until moving to Ballard in 1964. Jay worked as a boiler man at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and later as a planner/estimator for the General Services Administration until retiring in 1991. They moved to Bandon after retiring.

Jay’s hobbies and passions included RC Airplanes, shooting sports, fishing, golfing, NASCAR, and most of all, his family. He was also artistic, enjoying painting and sculpting, and inventive, having been granted several patents.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Molly Christie of Bandon; daughter Deborah Jaeger of Lake Stevens; daughter Carole Christie of Tacoma; daughter Melody Kahl of Tacoma; daughter Patricia Millis of Junction City, Ore.; son Philip Christie of Kent; and son Michael Rodriguez of Elk Grove, Calif.; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brother Patrick McGreevy of Albuquerque, N.M.; and sister Nancy Reeves of Raleigh, N.C.

He was preceded in death by his son Barry Christie.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson’s Bay Area Mortuary, 405 Elrod Ave., Coos Bay, Ore. 541-267-4216.