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ENID, Okla. — Jay Dee “Coach” Zehr was born Feb. 29, 1932, to Samuel Alph and Mary Ann (Sacket) Zehr in Hardtner, Kan. He passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla., at the age of 81.
Jay Dee grew up in Northwest Oklahoma. He graduated from Alva High School in 1952.
After graduation, Jay Dee joined the U.S. Navy. During his four year enlistment he served in Guam, aboard the USS Consolation and aboard the USS Toledo. Jay Dee ran track and played basketball during his years of service.
After his honorable discharge he married Peggy J. Cooper on May 31, 1956, in Torrance, Calif. The couple then returned to Alva, where Jay Dee attended NWOSU on the G.I. bill.
While furthering his education Jay Dee held three part-time jobs, had four children, ran track and held an 880 yard record for some time. He was a member of the NWOSU track team that won Conference Championships from 1957-1959.
In 1960, Jay Dee began his 32-year teaching and coaching career that took him to Lucas, Bunker Hill, Maize, Ingalls, Protection and Spearville, Kan., and then to Carmen-Dacoma, Cyril, Hydro, Pond Creek-Hunter, Dover, Boise City and Crescent, Okla. His successful coaching career awarded him All State Basketball Coach in 1987, and two time Region I Coach of the Year. Jay Dee retired in 1992.
Jay Dee stayed very active after his retirement, holding numerous part-time positions. He especially enjoyed running the Fort Cobb Lake Marina.
He and Peggy recently settled in Hinton.
Jay Dee was very supportive of his children and grandchildren, attending as many sporting events as possible. He was a former member of Oklahoma Education Association, and a current member of Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association and Oklahoma Coaches Association.
Jay Dee is survived by wife, Peggy of the home in Hinton, Okla.; nine children, Jodie Zehr Hall of Woodward, Okla., Joel Zehr and wife Judy of Weatherford, Okla., JaDena Hansen and husband Terry of Hinton, Okla., Janell Hart and husband Kelvin of Hydro, Okla., Jay Zehr and wife Angie of Copeland, Kan., Jamin Hinds and husband Larry of Keyes, Okla., Jeffrey Zerh and wife Shawnda of Norman, Okla., Jill Talley of Newcastle, Okla., and Jayna Sloan and husband Jim of Kohler, Wis.; 27 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Zehr; mother, Mary Ann Zehr Parker and stepfather, Ray Parker; siblings, Loren Sacket, Verle Zehr and wife Pauline, and Roger Zehr and wife Alice.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made to Jay Dee Zehr Youth Sports Trust, c/o 1st National Bank Bank, 1107 N Broadwy, Hinton, OK 73047
Service is 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, Hinton, Okla. Rev. Kyle Kiner officiating under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, Okla.
Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneral homes@gmail.com.
(Submitted by family)
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