As an odd thought, if the word gregarious could be personified it would surely be in the form of Jay Robinson. At 76 his age certainly qualifies him for the respect of being called an elder. However, on the more important and spiritual aspect of the term "Elder", as defined in 1 Timothy 3:1, Jay more than qualifies for the title.
Born in November 1930 in Rochester, NY, Jay was the second of two sons born to his church going mother and father. At 9 he moved to Scotia, NY, near Albany.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations (nowadays its called Human Resources) in 1952 from Cornell University. While attending Cornell he was enrolled in ROTC and so, after leaving college, he fulfilled his military obligation by going into the USAF (United States Air Force) as an officer.
His first year was spent as an "adjutant" at a now closed Olmstead Air Force base in Pennsylvania and then in 1953 he was whisked away to the wilds of a DEW line radar site at Cape Romanzof, Alaska, where he spent his time trying to keep warm! In addition to staving off hypothermia from himself, Jay had the obligation of tending to the needs , again as 'adjutant', of over 100 enlisted men under his charge as it was their responsibility to keep the DEW line site functioning and alert for the ever present activities of the Soviet Air Force.
Helping to keep Jay warm, as he waited the sun's rays to pierce the southern horizon in the winter months, were letters from his new bride, Joyce, whom he'd married in April of 1953, shortly before being shipped off to the "Cold (both figuratively and realistically!) War's" electronic front. Jay and Joyce met in March of 1952 at a youth church dinner, when he was a senior in college, and married a year later.
Joyce, born in Hudson, NY, graduated from NY State College for Teachers in 1951 with a major in Math. So, while waiting for Jay to return and tell of his tales from the wild, she worked for GE in Schenectady, NY, assisting the engineers there with their math and doing some very early computer programming.
Upon leaving the USAF in 1954, Jay kinda took a detour on the way back to New York and stopped to see his brother, a teacher, in Southern California. After the visit, and like the Clampett's of "The Beverly Hillbillies" fame, Jay thought that this was the place he and his bride ought'a be, so they loaded up their goods and moved to Redondo Beach, where Jay began working at North American, an aircraft manufacturer, as a Safety Engineer.
Now, suffice it to say, after taking this position at North American and entering the public domain, Jay endeavored to move more then the military would have moved him had he stayed in. Between 1954 and when Joyce put her foot down and said she wanted roots in 1970, Jay worked for no less than 4 other companies, rising up the corporate ladder with each position change, and moved 5 times! Finally, as if his professional life wasn't busy enough, he earned his law degree in 1959 and passed the bar exam, in Missouri, that same year.
As much as they moved about the country, and Jay enjoyed being with various companies, their spiritual life remained active. Jay had always been involved in church. His parents were faithful members, and Jay continued in their denominational tradition. Even though he counts his actual salvation at a later date, Jay and Joyce were always active in church, no matter where they were attending services. Jay was singing in the college choir when he met Joyce, and as the last decibels of his voice died away when he left for his tour in Alaska, the lovely melodies of her organ playing resounded anew as her pining gave way to inspired music.
And when they were reunited upon his return from the military they continued in church dedication. To list all of their adventures within the church would fill volumes but suffice it to say Jay has spent almost as much time in the church community, as he has in his own career.
Along the road of spiritual growth, Jay accepted Jesus as his savior when he was 33, at the time he left his denominational roots, rededicating himself to God, and knowing full well what his commitment to Christ meant for him and his family.
After moving to Memphis in 1970, Jay and Joyce joined Central Church in 1978. At Central he and Joyce began teaching and working in Sunday school classes and they both sang in the choir. When Evangelism Explosion training exploded, Jay was there, in the thick of battle, at one point taking charge of classes teaching adults how to share their faith with non-believers. Also during that time frame Jay was selected as an elder. (Prior to joining Central he had been a deacon and board member at a couple of other churches). After retiring from private law practice in 1995, Jay became Director of Missions for four years and still is a member of the Mission Committee. He is now deeply involved as Board Chairman with the Calvary Rescue Mission, a wonderful organization that endeavors to help homeless men get back on their feet.
And last, but certainly not least, to carry on the family torch, Jay and Joyce have one daughter, Jaqueline Rose Waller, a stay at home mom (like her mom was) and mother of 3. Jaqueline, like her parents, is a Christian and lives, where else! in Churchville, MD.
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