Jay Ahuja

Not long after Jay Ahuja came into this world, he had to fight for survival. He and his family were forced to trek some 300 miles to a new home in a city unknown to them during the partition of India. They were immigrants in their own country. The family finally became settled after Jay’s father was given a job and housing by the new Indian government. As Jay grew up, he felt he’d been given a second chance at life and thus was determined to build a purposeful and distinguished life.  

Jay was the eldest boy in a home of eight children of modest means. During his childhood, Jay grew up learning how to tell entertaining stories and jokes while gathering with his many neighborhood friends. He was a fun-loving, outgoing kid. He always enjoyed connecting with others, whether it be in an elevator, chatting in the grocery store line, or having a casual conversation on the street. Jay had a quick wit and would tell the funniest stories. A good friend shared, “Jay was one of the best guys I’ve ever known. He was a true friend with an amazing sense of humor. We often laughed while talking about our mutual interests in contemporary art. We loved him so.” Jay cared for people young and old. He was kind, considerate, and compassionate to everyone.

Jay attended a high school where many students came from the diplomatic community. He quickly realized the importance of speaking English well in order to become successful. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science, he began working as an account manager trainee for a large advertising agency. He was proud to finally be earning some money to take home and share with his family. His youngest brother said, “Jay was always so kind and generous to us. My brothers and I would ask him for a quarter, and he’d give us a dollar. We’ve never forgotten his warm-heartedness.”

Jay’s love for travel, adventure, and exploring other cultures began when he impulsively decided to venture on a trip with three friends from India to Germany in March 1970, confident that better job opportunities awaited. He was determined to take the risk, even though there were no travel books to guide them on this long journey.  

When meaningful work couldn’t be found in Munich, he traveled onward to Tehran, Iran. Jay felt lucky to find a job within days of his arrival. He began working as an account executive with a talented group at Ziba McCann Erickson Advertising Agency and was assigned clients such as Phillip Morris and Xerox. Jay had such respect for the owner/manager of this agency who treated him like family. He was a father-like figure to Jay, and he was forever grateful to him for the fortunate turn in his life.

Jay was “on top of the world” when he was accepted into an MBA program in Tehran, launched by the royal family called the Iran Center for Management Studies. He graduated from the program in August 1974 with a concentration in marketing management.

In the fall of 1974, at a party where a friend was playing guitar and singing Neil Diamond favorites, Jay met his future wife Dot Swanson. They spent the evening laughing and dancing the night away. As the relationship progressed during the spring, a fascinating trip was taken to Delhi to introduce her to Jay’s family. The romance blossomed when they continued onward to Kashmir. Before long, not one but two weddings were planned in 1976.  A small Christian wedding took place in Tehran with all of Jay and Dot’s American and Persian friends on February 14th even though Jay, having grown up in India, knew nothing about Valentine’s Day. On March 12th, 300 guests attended the traditional Hindu ceremony in Delhi. The marriage continued to grow into a love story of 47 years.

Leaving Tehran for Texas in July 1976 with his new wife was bittersweet. Jay had incredible memories of living in Tehran, where he had enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the Persian people for six years. He continued to maintain a 50-year friendship with his best friend whom he met there. Jay would later become a naturalized American citizen in September 1982. It was one of the proudest moments in his life.

As an advertising executive in the “Golden Years of Advertising,” Jay went on to pursue his dreams. He joined several smaller ad agencies before becoming an account supervisor at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising in downtown Houston. It was one of the highlights of his professional career.

Jay was very devoted to his family whom he loved deeply. Some of his happiest moments were when his daughter Courtney and son Jason were born. He was overcome with joy when his grandson Ronan was born to daughter Courtney. How proud he was to see his children grow up and graduate with degrees from Cornell University, then becoming thoughtful, hardworking, and confident individuals with successful careers. His grandchild has matured into a charming teenager in high school.

In 1987, Jay and his wife Dot decided to open a Montessori school named, “Smaller Scholars Montessori School” in Houston, Texas. The school thrived after initially enrolling just 10 students and continued to grow in capacity to 360 students on a beautiful campus. It was Jay and wife Dot’s crowning professional achievement until retiring in November 2005.

Upon retirement Jay and his wife traveled around the world to 55 different countries. Jay exclaimed after returning from a breathtaking expedition to Antarctica, “ It was like being on another planet!” Jay and Dot became avid contemporary art collectors and acquired many treasured art works. Jay also enjoyed cooking for family and friends, often preparing gourmet meals served with excellent bottles of red wine. Skiing at Beaver Creek Mountain was another passion for him, and he spent more than 100 days enjoying the snow-covered runs on the mountain during the 2021-22 season.

At the age of 75, Jay bravely fought esophageal cancer until passing away at his home in Beaver Creek, Colorado. He was a man with a beautiful soul who lived a full life. Jay shall always be remembered, loved, and cherished by his family and friends.

Jay is survived by his wife Dot, daughter Courtney and grandson Ronan, son Jason, mother-in-law Marlys, sisters Sarla and Kavita, and his brothers Anil, Ashwani, and Alok. Jay was preceded in death by his father Gobind Lal, his mother Narain Devi, his sister Madhu, and his brother Arun.

A private, family Hindu Cremation Service was held at Horan & McConaty on July 2 and a Havan Hindu Ceremony at daughter Courtney’s home conducted on July 6.

A Celebration of Life for Jay will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Memory of Jay Ahuja may be made to:

MD Anderson Cancer Center (fec23r)

PO Box 4770

Houston, TX 77210-4486 or

http://mdacc.convio.net/goto/JayAhuja