Jay Otis Newlon - Sitio Web Conmemorativo En Línea

Martha and I are first cousins - and I must say, she is a favorite cousin. When I was  quite a young girl, maybe 9 or 10, Martha came to live with our family in our big stone house on Virginia Avenue, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, while Jay was serving in the war.

When he came home on leave, there were times when I would accompany them on their walks. I do remember a time when (perhaps Jay was trying to impress my cousin with his terrific strength) Jay came to a flag pole (or something) and grabbed hold of it and with his hands took a strong hold of the pole lifting his body outward and parallel to the ground!!!  Wow.  We were so impressed.  There was another time when Martha and Jay took a walk in the woods, and I followed behind, and how Jay would gently lead her away from brambles etc. (Martha was wearing the old fashioned type of silk stockings.) But what I most remember about this courtship was the sweet way they spoke to each other while holding hands. They were truly in love. Is it any wonder this beautiful relationship lasted a life time!

Throughout the years, we have watched our families grow, and on occasion I would call Jay for advice about something or other. He was so wise and seemed to know everything. I last visited Martha and Jay just a few months ago, and received a tour of the DuPont Gardens. Later that day, I felt honored to be asked by him to accompany him on a tour of their home to gaze at and possibly appraise (an impossible task!) the varied artworks in their home.  

Needless to say, I will never forget him. He was (and I think still is!) a very very spiritual person.



 

Thank you, Jay, for the memories of learning yoga poses in Elizabeth's home, next door to my parents.  It was my first introduction to yoga.  Thank you for sharing your keen memories of the Newlons in New Lexington and filling in the blanks on the Newlon Genealogy.  You may just be the oldest Newlon in history.  I'll work on that research!

My thoughts and prayers with all the family.  Jay was an inspiration to every life he touched.

In the 17 years (following his official "retirement" from Du Pont) that Jay dedicated to helping with our family business, he managed to leave an impressive mark on me, on my family, and on all the lives he touched while at Whitewater Challengers.

I was gratified, but not all that surprised, when in his mid-70's, Jay decided that to really be a part of our company "team" he would complete the Whitewater Challengers river guide certification course, and work our river trips just like all the rest of us.

For many years, Jay was our most senior guide, and a tremendous mentor for people throughout our organization.  In his quiet but effective way, he showed up every day, worked hard, set a terrific example for all of us, and inspired the very best from those around him.

Even now, I see him in that faded blue, slightly tattered corduroy Whitewater hat that we issued him in 1985, and that he was still wearing (in my presence) as recently as this past summer.

Jay's life remains an inspiration to me now, and will always.