James ""Jay"" Bechtel

James ""Jay"" Bechtel passed away on March 13, 2013 to conclude a very full 80 years of life, love and laughter. He was surrounded by the love of his wife and daughters when he passed onto Heaven. Jay was born in Kansas City, MO on September 30, 1932. He is survived by his wife, Olivia; Daughters, Lauren (Toby Carroll) Bear and Heidi (Chad) Coughlin; Grandchildren, Shia and Liam Coughlin; and his Brother, Louis Earl Bechtel. He was preceded in death by his dog Oreo, who is surely wagging his tail welcoming him on the other side. Jay fought a brave fight against Parkinson Disease and continued to spread joy and laughter to all who he met, even through the last weeks of his life. You may have known Jay on the golf course, through his State Farm Agency, in the Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, as an ordained Catholic Priest, volunteering as a costumed 1860's gentleman at 4 Mile Historic Park, as a childhood friend, or a beloved family member. He was fearless, adventurous, loving, kind and could rarely resist walking off to tell a joke to those lingering nearby. We honor that passion for laughter by celebrating his life with a Memorial Service on Monday, April Fool's Day (April 1, 2013) at 10:00am, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road (one block west of South Holly Street), Centennial, CO 80122. Memorial donations may be made in Jay's name to The Parkinson Association of the Rockies, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018 or the Denver Dumb Friends League, 2080 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80231. Please share your memories of Jay and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.