Jay B. Messer

Jay Messer, 89, of Amarillo, TX, passed away on 19 October 2025 in Amarillo, after an extended stay at Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM, 8 November 2025 at the Chapel of First Baptist Church in Amarillo with Pastor Robby Barrett of First Baptist officiating. Reception to follow in Fellowship Hall. Cowboy casual/boots and jeans dress in accordance with Jay’s custom.

Jay was born in Soper, Oklahoma to Nelson and Emma Messer on 18 May 1936. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1954 and married Marilyn Patterson also of Roswell on 24 May 1958.

During his middle and high school years, Jay began playing guitar and singing. He had his own band and local radio and television appearances each week during much of his high school career. He also appeared several times opening for and accompanying well-known country music performers, including Floyd Cramer and Hank Locklin at the Roswell Sportatorium venue.

After working on his parents’ farm for many years, he determined that he would “stop picking cotton” and join the Army. He was a two-year veteran in the post Korean War period from July 1955 to May 1957 and served primarily in Korea. Although serving only a couple of years, Jay was as proud of his military service as if it had been 40 years! During this time, he continued pursuing a music career and landed a nationwide record deal from Starday Recording in Hollywood. He recorded and released two songs that charted as part of the contract.

Post Army service, he worked in a variety of jobs including construction, deputy sheriff, police officer, bus/truck driver and car salesman. He was known as a no-nonsense law officer to troublemakers, but had a soft heart towards stray animals, frequently adopting them or rehoming them as he found them.

In 1968 Jay and family moved to Amarillo where he started a career with the Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma (TNM&O) Bus Company. He drove for many years, earning numerous safe driving awards and experiencing a variety of adventures along the way. He drove all over the southwest and took many charters even further afield all over the country. He put his law enforcement experience to effective use frequently dealing with unruly or inebriated passengers, several of whom were put off the bus in isolated areas for their trouble!

Jay had a variety of interests bordering on obsessions including dogs, miniature burros and horses, tractors, and Braum’s hamburgers. He also loved TV Westerns (Gunsmoke as the favorite), any kind of show with animals, and catching trout at all hours on regular trips to Colorado.

He became a car fanatic and turned looking at cars and caring for his own into a veritable sport. He devoted abundant hours to this passion, and you could stop by any time of day for a cup of coffee and automobile discussion at the Messer home! Jay never lost his love of playing guitar and singing country-western music. He could sing song after song at family gatherings and events and was known for his extensive repertoire of memorized music, and beautiful singing voice!

He was a good and steady provider and unflinching supporter of his family. He lived as a patriot and staunch advocate of the US military. He taught us all good lessons about work ethic, staying in the fight and providing for family. All will miss his music, his various obsessions, and dry wit. We look forward to seeing him again!

Jay is preceded in death by his older brother Conley, and his parents, Nelson and Emma Messer.

Jay is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marilyn (Amarillo), his sister Shirley (Phoenix), and sons Rick (Parkville, MO), Steven (Flower Mound, TX), and Randy (Norman, OK). Jay has 11 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.