Share Jay Vernon Percival's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Please select what you would like included for printing:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Jay Vernon
Percival
March 29, 1922 – May 5, 2009
Obituary
Jay Vernon Percival passed away peacefully on May 5, 2009, at his home in Lompoc, California at the age of 87.
Jay was born on March 29, 1922, in Manteca, California to Dewey and Lois (Rolerson) Percival. The eldest of four children, Jay was a precocious child, mature beyond his years, and served as a role model for his younger siblings and others throughout his life.
Jay loved music and played numerous instruments. His favorite was the fiddle, which he taught himself to play because he loved the fiddle music played by his Grandpa Rolerson. He also loved the outdoors, hiking and fishing.
Throughout school, Jay was always the head of the class. He graduated as valedictorian of the Manteca High Class of 1939, and earned a scholarship to UC Berkeley, where he continued his academic excellence.
Jay was working at the Berkeley campus bakery when he heard the news about Pearl Harbor. He finished the semester and signed up for the Army Air Corps to become a navigator.
Jay flew 54 combat missions in the B-25 combat aircraft known as the "Billy Mitchell" bomber. Much of his service was with the 22nd Bomb Squadron, headed by General Claire Chennault and known as the "Flying Tigers." He was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross for his lifesaving actions in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II.
Jay's military service also included the Strategic Air Command at March Air Force Base and the Directorate of Nuclear Safety Research at Kirtland Air Force Base, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served as the executive Officer of the Western Test Range, Vandenberg Air Force Base, from 1964 to 1969.
Jay was known throughout his life as a true gentleman. He was a hero to his family and beloved by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Janice Zimmerman of Orange, sons Richard of Agoura Hills and Wayne of Simi Valley, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Clyde Percival of Modesto, Richard Percival of Manteca and Beverly Hall of Reno, Nevada.
Services will be private, conducted by Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. His family members are especially grateful to Hospice.
Jay was born on March 29, 1922, in Manteca, California to Dewey and Lois (Rolerson) Percival. The eldest of four children, Jay was a precocious child, mature beyond his years, and served as a role model for his younger siblings and others throughout his life.
Jay loved music and played numerous instruments. His favorite was the fiddle, which he taught himself to play because he loved the fiddle music played by his Grandpa Rolerson. He also loved the outdoors, hiking and fishing.
Throughout school, Jay was always the head of the class. He graduated as valedictorian of the Manteca High Class of 1939, and earned a scholarship to UC Berkeley, where he continued his academic excellence.
Jay was working at the Berkeley campus bakery when he heard the news about Pearl Harbor. He finished the semester and signed up for the Army Air Corps to become a navigator.
Jay flew 54 combat missions in the B-25 combat aircraft known as the "Billy Mitchell" bomber. Much of his service was with the 22nd Bomb Squadron, headed by General Claire Chennault and known as the "Flying Tigers." He was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross for his lifesaving actions in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II.
Jay's military service also included the Strategic Air Command at March Air Force Base and the Directorate of Nuclear Safety Research at Kirtland Air Force Base, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served as the executive Officer of the Western Test Range, Vandenberg Air Force Base, from 1964 to 1969.
Jay was known throughout his life as a true gentleman. He was a hero to his family and beloved by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Janice Zimmerman of Orange, sons Richard of Agoura Hills and Wayne of Simi Valley, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Clyde Percival of Modesto, Richard Percival of Manteca and Beverly Hall of Reno, Nevada.
Services will be private, conducted by Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. His family members are especially grateful to Hospice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jay Vernon Percival, please visit our flower store.
Jay Vernon Percival's Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors