Jay Basselin

Jay (John) Paul Basselin, 81, passed away on February 8, 2024. Jay was born on January 9, 1943 in Seattle, Washington to Dorothy and John Basselin. He was a beloved husband for 53 years to the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth (Hamilton) Basselin. They were married on August 8, 1970, and were blessed with two sons, Christopher and Timothy. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and John Basselin; and his wife, Mary. He is survived by his sister, Gail North; sons, Christopher Basselin (Jenny) and Timothy Basselin (Robin); and grandchildren, Elyie Brooke, Risa, Caleb, Calyie, Karis, Quinn, Lily Grace, and Case.

Jay lived his earliest years in Seattle, Washington before moving to Tacoma at age 10. In 1962, he moved again with his mom and sister to Tooele, UT where he took up weight lifting and garnered the nickname "Mr. Atlas." He graduated from Tooele High School in 1963 and was drafted into the army in 1964. Jay completed boot camp at Fort Polk in Louisiana and did a specialized financial training at Fort Benjamin in Harrison, Indianapolis. Jay's best station though was at Fort Rucker, because it brought him to Alabama, where he would meet Mary Elizabeth Hamilton at a church function in Huntsville, AL. Jay and Mary dated for only a few short months before getting engaged, and they married within a year of meeting each other. For their honeymoon, Jay and Mary road tripped out West to visit family and see numerous National Parks in his beloved MG roadster. Jay loved to skateboard, ride dirt bikes, water ski, and take photographs.

Jay was a skilled mechanic, and worked as a heavy machinery mechanic at Thompson Tractor for decades. He was offered the position of master mechanic, but as a committed family man and devoted father, he turned it down to spend more time with this family. In 1987, Jay was involved in a work related accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury that nearly took his life. However, Jay survived against all odds, exceeding everyone's expectations. Jay experienced complete amnesia from before his accident and had to relearn how to talk, walk, and do nearly every aspect of daily life. Jay's miraculous story of faith and perseverance has been an inspiration to many people and was chronicled in the book Journey with Jay, authored by his cognitive therapist and dear friend, Jan Peine. Jay loved attending book signings and would always inscribe the same three words on each copy: I luv God.

Jay loved prayer and worship and was a long term member of Huffman Assembly of God, Cathedral of the Cross, and Horizon Church, where he served in many capacities, from leading Sunday School to serving as an elder to folding bulletins and greeting worshipers. He always enjoyed helping in any way he could and was loved and admired by many. Jay traveled to all 50 states and numerous countries with his wife, Mary. Wherever he went, he loved to meet and talk with new people. He was always armed with an uplifting story, corny joke, or humorous anecdote. For the past twenty five years, he was affectionately known to many as their beloved "Papa Jay."

A family visitation for Jay will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 9:00am at Horizon Church, 2345 Columbiana Road, Birmingham, AL 35216. A public visitation will follow at 10:00am, and the funeral service will begin at 11:00am. Following the funeral, there will be a fellowship time at the church. A Graveside service will be held Saturday, February 17 at 3:00pm at Huntsville Memorial Gardens, 6810 US 72 W, Huntsville Alabama 35806.

The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Horizon Church, with a specification for missions. You can give digitally here or send a check to Horizon Church, 2345 Columbiana Road, Birmingham, AL 35216.