Leslie Jay Conklin

Leslie Jay Conklin, aged 78, of Irving, Texas, entered into his eternal rest on December 23, 2023. He is survived by Alice Conklin (née Savoie) his beloved wife of 27 years; his dearly beloved children Jana Kay Brown of Whitehouse, Texas, Leslie Jay Conklin, Jr. of Austin, Texas, and Rebecca "Becca" Duncan (husband Chris) of Manlius, New York; also survived by his 7 beloved grandchildren, Terry Brown (wife Megan) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Aaron Brown of Tyler, Texas, Kelley Brown of Indianapolis, Indiana, Catherine, Margaret, and Reid Conklin of Austin, Texas, and Tobias Duncan of Manlius, New York. Jay's beloved sister, Mary Hutchins (Peter) of Cocoa Beach, Florida, also survives.

Jay Conklin's parents were George R. Conklin and Lillian Murrel (Matthews). He was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico in 1945 where World War II had brought them.

Jay lived a full life and had many interests. A congenital problem corrected at age 12 required several surgeries and much bed rest, but taught him a lifelong love of reading which he carried all his life. In his twenties while living in Tennessee and holding a full time job at American Airlines, he graduated from Volunteer State Community College.

Jay participated in many sports, everything from surfing and roller skating during his high school years when he lived in Los Angeles, to bowling a perfect 300 game and had an 800 series years later in Euless. He was a member of a traveling league. He was a runner and took part in many races. He also cycled. He coached his son's soccer team. He was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Texas Longhorns. If they lost he would be in a morose mood for hours.

Jay was an excellent storyteller with a repertoire of colorful jokes and a gift for mimicking different accents. He loved music, had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed caroling in his Las Brisas neighborhood. He also loved motor vehicles and owned many kinds of trucks and cars. He had a particular interest in military history and aviation.

Jay was always interested in how life around him was being conducted. He participated in politics from serving as precinct chair to convention delegate, to serving for many years on the board of his condo association. In Tennessee he became a friend of Senator Al Gore. He dealt with union officials in his management position at American Airlines. As a descendant of Revolutionary War and Union Army ancestors perhaps this interest came naturally.

Jay was an intrepid traveler. Born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, as a child he had lived in El Paso, Los Angeles, and White City, New Mexico where he explored the desert and learned to love New Mexico and Colorado. He and his mother visited the Soviet Union before Perestoika and saw Moscow, St. Petersburg and its ballet, and Kiev. With his wife Alice, he visited Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, and several times to Chile and its Lake Country, a favorite. Later United States and Canadian national parks became favorites.

Jay was a Mason. He owned his own small business after retiring from American Airlines.

Jay was ever a dog lover, and had and loved many from childhood until the last days of his life. They were integral members of the household. In Tenessee he was president of an animal rescue society. In lieu of flowers a contribution to any animal rescue or help organization would be appreciated by the family.