Jay Norman Lund, Great Depression survivor, World War II naval veteran, Mormon missionary and bishop, civil service investigator, Cold War defense preparedness pioneer who contributed to planning and organizing for the aftermath of an anticipated nuclear holocaust, civil rights monitor, craftsman, serial entrepreneur, church leader, student/scholar, community organizer, and journalist, died in Mesa, Ariz., on April 19, 2015, at age 88.
He was born Aug. 31, 1926, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Gustave Joseph Lund Jr. and Bertha Alleen Hoopes.
Jay is survived by his brother, Jack Lund; and sister, Marilyn Lund Stowe. His brother, Spencer preceded him in death.
Jay served in the Navy at the close of WWII as a Signalman 3rd Class on minesweeper USS Oracle on its mission to clear mines from the Taiwan Strait. He earned a bachelor of science degree at BYU and a masters of public administration at USC, and worked as a federal investigator for 20 years, finishing his career working with the Defense Preparedness Agency (FEMA predecessor). He served in Noxubee County, Miss., in 1966 as a federal poll observer in support of the Civil Rights movement. He lived and died with a deep and practiced faith in God.
His greatest joy came from wife and family. Mr. Lund married Toy Ellen Openshaw in 1951. They resided in Santa Rosa, Calif., for 28 years then moved to Roby, Mo., for 30 years. He used his government experience to provide grants and leadership supporting three volunteer fire departments, a community center and city park. Mesa, Ariz. became their home in 2009.
Jay and Toy raised eight children: Mark W. (Barbara) Lund, Steven J. (Kalleen) Lund, Douglas N. Lund, Julie (Greg) Houston, Linda (Gary) Moore, Troy O. (Kris) Lund, Karen (Jeff) Duren and Eric B. (Rachel) Lund. They have 30 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were 11 a.m. April 27, 2015, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 925 North Harris Drive, Mesa, Ariz. He will be laid to rest May 9, 2015, with his parents and parents-in-law in Hickory Ridge Cemetery, Bucyrus, Mo., under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
PAID
