Jay Reagan Lavender, 82, of Wichita Falls, Texas passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Memorial Services will be held from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026,   at the Elks Lodge located at 4205 Seymour Highway, Wichita Falls, Texas, 76309.

A son of the late Eugene (Davis) and Walter Miller Lavender, Jay was born in Dundee, Texas, on August 17, 1943. He married the love of his life, Gloria Smith Lavender, right out of high school.

Jay played for the Coyotes State Championship team in 1961. Being an undersized linebacker, he continued his college career at Henderson County Community College. It was there he attracted the attention of the coaches at Oklahoma State University and eventually obtained his master's degree. Jay always reminded people OSU never lost to OU while he was a Cowboy. Jay also loved boxing and trained and fought for Pa Woods and boxed in the Golden Gloves.

Jay and Gloria moved back to Wichita Falls where he started coaching at SH Rider High School under Joe Bob Tyler. The next year Joe Bob took the head coaching job in Haltom City and asked Jay to be his defensive coordinator. For the next ten years Jay and Bob built a football program in Haltom City. They taught their players how to earn respect on and off the football field. Jay was tough on his players but showed them tough love.

Terrible Tuesday hit Wichita Falls in 1979, and Jay had an opportunity to help rebuild the city he so cherished. Once the tornado damage was repaired and Wichita Falls was back on its feet, Jay founded Jabeau in 1980 and started building homes and transitioned into roofing.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Walter; his brothers, Walter Jr., and Keith; and his wife Gloria.

He is survived by his brother Mickey; his sons, Michael (Sherri) and Jayson (Shellie); and his grandchildren, Miranda (Ben) Benton, Cheyenne, Jaedon, Jaxson, Kenzie and Lexie.

The Lavenders would like to extend their appreciation to the nursing staff at Texhoma Christian Care, who went above and beyond making sure Jay felt at home.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Dementia Society of America.