originally posted on 9/9/2022 1:42:00 AM
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For someone six foot three, Jay Jacobs was content to stay
in the background. He joined ACE in 2008 and over the years became more and
more involved. From heavy volunteerism to becoming an assistant regional rep to
filling a role on ACE’s Executive Committee as operations director, Jay became
an invaluable asset to the organization. As dedicated as he was, he never
sought the spotlight. He was quiet in his own way, but strong in his
commitment.
Jay lived life to the fullest. He explored several jobs,
many of which were at Six Flags Over Texas in various roles. In 2004, he
started his own company, TPS Audio Visual, which offered integrated audiovisual
services and equipment to churches and schools. It was a success. With his accomplishments,
he enjoyed visiting amusement parks around the country. To his friends, it
seemed as if he was off somewhere each weekend.
Jay was instrumental in bringing ACE’s website to its full
potential, including consolidating the former RCreride.com and CoasterCon.com
sites into the main ACE website. His work on the regular ACE News posts
and all things IT benefited the entire membership.
Jay supported the ACE South Central events, as well as the
national ones and international tours. He even supported other region’s events.
Among his travels, he had enjoyed many of the new-for-2022 coasters.
A week before he passed, he was visiting Six Flags Great
America. Feeling some symptoms on his trip, he thought them serious enough to
check into the hospital. After some preliminary tests, he described his
situation as having “multiple issues.” It was a sudden shock to everyone for
him to not leave the hospital. Family and friends were in disbelief.
Following his passing, most people remember him for the kind
soul he truly was — helpful, gracious and giving. At Coaster Con 44, ACE was
the first banquet for the newly reopened Sawmill Creek. Assisting with the audiovisual
for the evening, he mentored the hotel staff on what was capable of being done
with their systems.
Jay was a people person. He enjoyed welcoming new members,
and time spent with friends, particularly over dinner, were ones he cherished.
In recent years, Jay became one of ACE’s most prolific
contributors of photos. Whether attending an event or during his personal
travels, he regularly submitted photos to the ACE archives — hundreds if not
thousands.
In the future, selecting photos from his contributions will
be bittersweet. While they will be a reminder that he is no longer with us,
they will also bring to mind what a great human being he was.
At his funeral, his cousin stated, “Jay had the heart of a
servant. He was always pleased to help.” Those words couldn’t ring any truer
for his years in ACE. He leaves big shoes that will be difficult to fill. He will
be missed.
— Tim Baldwin
I have never known anyone who had the combination of
qualities Jay had: the talent, friendliness, humility, discipline and
determination to enjoy life. He was an incredible help to publications in his
quiet, organized manner — always willing to do more than what was asked of him.
What consoles me is that Jay didn’t wait for “some day” to do the things he
loved. We all could learn a lesson from that.
— Lee Ann Draud
Saying Jay will be missed is a far understatement. His
commitment to follow through, insights and friendly demeanor to everyone he
encountered made him a joy to volunteer alongside. His passion, insight and
ideas developed a true friendship when the EC returned to in-person
meetings. In Jay's short time in my life, the fun we shared and the
conversations we had about ACE, life and his church will be something I carry
with me daily. Ride on my friend!
— Elizabeth Ringas
I was shocked at the news of Jay’s passing. His personal
contributions to the club will be remembered as much as his gratitude to
professionally help us move forward as an organization. I will miss seeing his
wide smile and welcoming attitude for a very long time to come.
— Robert Ulrich
Before Jay took over maintenance and improvements to the ACE
national website, the ACE South Central region rep team was happy to learn that
Jay was a self-taught computer programmer and volunteered to program a new
website for the region. When he accomplished that challenge and
incorporated every feature and functionality the rep team asked for with
blazing speed, the team was already noticing his other tangible skill —
and sensing other intangible ones, a "special sauce" if you will —
and asked him to join the team as an assistant regional rep. Within no time, it
was clear he was one of our new secret weapons that made the prolific South
Central region a super-charged dynamo.
His passion for Give Kids The World Village and ACE's
participation in the Coasting For Kids events eventually led to making
Jay our regional ACE Cares Team Caption for all of the Coasting For
Kids events held in the ACE South Central region starting in 2021. Jay, a
top-three fundraiser in almost every Coasting For Kids event held in the area,
was the top fundraiser more than once.
Jay's closest friends always knew when Jay had a very good
time at an ACE event, trip or a dinner as he would say in parting, “Let's do
this again sometime.” There are a multitude of things that I will deeply miss
about Jay but hearing those words from him will be very high up on that
list for me.
— David Lipnicky
#ACENews