Jay was a 2017 graduate of St. Margaret Mary Catholic School and a 2021 graduate of Trinity High School. Jay was a junior attending Western Kentucky University and majoring in business. Jay participated in many sports, however most shined on the stage. He performed many roles in multiple plays, including lead roles as Jafar in Aladdin at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School and Detective Holmes in Sherlock Holmes at Trinity High School. Jay was a 2020 participant of the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts in musical theater. Jay had a beautiful singing voice and participated in the Louisville Youth Choir, St. Margaret Mary Encore Choir, and Trinity High School Choir. Jay was also a cantor at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Jay enjoyed the outdoors, was a Boy Scout, and worked hard to become a distinguished Eagle Scout. Jay was helpful, a hard worker, and held positions at Plehn’s Bakery, Chick-fil-a, Frank Otte Nursery, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Longhorn Steakhouse. At Western Kentucky University, Jay was an active member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity and was an awards officer. Jay led the fraternity to a Spring Sing Championship in 2023. Jay loved videos games, grilling and cooking, and playing with his dog, Millie. He was also very loving, kind-hearted, friendly, funny, and gave the best hugs. Jay’s most important role, however, was being a brother.

To honor his memory, friends and family members established the Jay Howard Scholarship Fund in his name. The fund assists deserving fellow Lambda Chi fraternity brothers to obtain a higher education. Through this fund, Jay’s legacy lives on in perpetuity.