Memories of Jay Gerald Dehner

In memory of

Jay Gerald Dehner

Spokane, WA

November 1, 1957 - March 3, 2025

Nov 1, 1957 - Mar 3, 2025

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Dishman Hills Conservancy or Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Jay?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Mosey Lenicka

Shared a heart

Mosey Lenicka

I have heard of Lake Wawasee since I met Jay, Willie and Johnny. They all relished their youthful times and family times there . Just like our lake in WA. Jay always listened and also gave his option in a soft way. Those brown eyes showed joy, sorrow, glee whatever. He was such a gem and he loved Chlo and family! He got a kick out of his friends and their quirks. You all know. Us . He got a kick out of everyone! Jay we won’t forget you!

Read More Read Less

Scott & Mosey Lenicka

Shared a heart

Please consider a gift to Dishman Hills Conservancy or Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.

$4,465.00

Raised by 31 people

Learn more & give

Robin Hines

Comments:

Robin Hines

On the hunt for morel mushrooms in McCall, ID - a serious business - with Michael Hines. On the hunt for morel mushrooms in McCall, ID - a serious business - with Michael Hines. On the hunt for morel mushrooms in McCall, ID - a serious... Read more

Robin Hines

Comments:

Robin Hines

Old buddies battling the youngsters - and winning! Jay and Michael with their families in McCall, ID Old buddies battling the youngsters - and winning! Jay and Michael with their families in McCall, ID Old buddies battling the youngsters - and winning! ... Read more

William Weigand

Comments:

William Weigand

Apre-ski in Sun Valley, ID circa 2005. Ric P, JohnE, and Jay add a little Jamtown percussion to the evening's... Read more Apre-ski in Sun Valley, ID circa 2005. Ric P, JohnE, and Jay add a little Jamtown percussion to the evening's enjoyment. If you... Read more Apre-ski in Sun Valley, ID circa 2005. Ric P, JohnE,... Read more

William Weigand

Comments:

William Weigand

Toasting the Methow Valley bobsled world record holder - Jay! Willie, Kurt, JohnE, and Jerry celebrating... Read more Toasting the Methow Valley bobsled world record holder - Jay! Willie, Kurt, JohnE, and Jerry celebrating with the champ. Toasting the Methow Valley bobsled world record holder... Read more

William Weigand

Comments:

William Weigand

Winter Games 2022 in Methow Valley, WA. Men's Bobsled preliminary heats are ready to start. John, Jerry,... Read more Winter Games 2022 in Methow Valley, WA. Men's Bobsled preliminary heats are ready to start. John, Jerry, Jay & Willie are pictured.... Read more Winter Games 2022 in Methow Valley, WA. Men's Bobsled... Read more

William Weigand

Comments:

William Weigand

Bloomsday 2024 with Jay, Chloe & family and friends. Bloomsday 2024 with Jay, Chloe & family and friends. Bloomsday 2024 with Jay, Chloe & family and friends.... Read more

Peter Gammie

1980

The boys

Read More Read Less

Comments:

Peter Gammie

The expressions say it all... Fun times The expressions say it all... Fun times The expressions say it all... Fun times

John Auner

Jay had the sweet Honda 4 cylinder cycle! Jay had the sweet Honda 4 cylinder cycle! Jay had the sweet Honda 4 cylinder cycle!

Dena Ashcraft

Shared a heart

Jane Peterson

Met Jay in the mid 1980’s. Many great times together with Jay, Chloe and later our families. Our annual XC ski trip to Mazama in February was always a favorite. Another was a camping adventure to Wilderness Camp on Kootenay Lake, BC with the Dehners. (Chloe was pregnant with Avery at the time & slept in a hammock).

“Knitter” dinners and Bloomsday gatherings were always great fun as well

Jay was a stellar human being. So lucky to have known him. He lives on….

Read More Read Less

Jane Peterson

Jim Stefanoff

2020, Salmo-Priest Wilderness, Metaline Falls, WA, USA

Getting out during COVID

Read More Read Less

Comments:

Jim Stefanoff

We did this great two night loop hike backwards and it turned out to be the right way! We arrived at the parking lot Friday mid-morning to see a bunch of cars and a number of parties arriving about the same time, including a number with  children. The "traditional" way is to hike clockwise, which begins from the parking lot and drops downhill into a beuatiful valley and follows streams until a climb out on the last day which is on a ridge and has limited water options. But, upon seeing the plethora of people heading down the hill we looked at each other and agreed, "Nope, not us, let's go the other way." So we filled up all our water jugs and prepared to have a dry camp out on the ridge that first night. Fortunately though, about 1/2-way along the ridge the trail dropped down and cut through a small drainage and we found water. Not great water, but water. We had to dig a depression into a small bog and divert a trickle of flow into it from which we could top off what we had drunk and save to filter/boil at camp. Camp was on the ridge right next to a scramble side hike up Snowy Top Mountain, which we did in the morning. But what an evening and night! Had a great small campfire and incredible sunset and night sky to enjoy. Not to mention very fine company and a few select whiskeys. Oh, and we didn't see a soul until about noon the next day when we descended into the valley. The next few hours we passed multiple parties going the way we had come, and by afternoon we found a great small camp in a meadow about a few hundred yards off the trail and next to the stream and had it all to ourselves. The water was so cold that when we waded it our ankles and feet turned painfully numb. The hike up to the car in the mroning was great...passed a few parties coming down for day hikes but all-in-all our backward hike was the right way to go.

We did this great two night loop hike backwards and it turned out to be the right way! We arrived at the ... Read more We did this great two night loop hike backwards and it turned out to be the right way! We arrived at the parking lot Friday mid-morning... Read more We did this great two night loop hike backwards and... Read more

Bob Hayton

Jim Stefanoff

2022, Superstition Mountains, AZ, USA

That ain't water Jay's drinking!

Read More Read Less

Comments:

Jim Stefanoff

We had discussed flying to Phoenix and hiking in the Superstitions for a few years and made it happen mid-March 2022. Jay hadn't been there since he was going to ASU...which by the way, he told me he did after his dad wanted him to go to Notre Dame. He said he went to ASU for a change of pace....and, he bought a motorcycle. He said that his last semester the job market was down and his professor of geotechnical engineering said, "Hey Dehner, what are you doing after you graduate?" and Jay replied, "No plans." His prof said, "Well, why don't you stay for a masters then?" And Jay did. Good move!!
Concerning our hike 40 years later...it got warm and the rattlesnakes came out. I came within 6 inches of stepping on one! Thankfully it was in the morning and it was still cool enough for it to be sluggish. We ended up doing about 50 miles in 4 days and had a great time. Water was scarce but plentiful enough. After our hike, on the way to the airport we stopped and walked around the ASU campus, and to the Civil Engineering building, which brought back a lot of memories for Jay.

We had discussed flying to Phoenix and hiking in the Superstitions for a few years and made it happen mid-March... Read more We had discussed flying to Phoenix and hiking in the Superstitions for a few years and made it happen mid-March 2022. Jay hadn't... Read more We had discussed flying to Phoenix and hiking in the... Read more

Jim Stefanoff

2015, Cabinet Mountains, Montana, USA

One of many hiking trips

Read More Read Less

Bob Hayton

Shared a heart

Mary Fagan

Peace

Read More Read Less

Bob Hayton

I’m going to call this story “Fire & Ice”:
FIRE 🔥 : Early in our friendship, Leslie & I met up with Jay & Chloe along with Laura & Bill to camp on the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Campers before us had left a huge tarp that we used for a river sauna: we’d heat up river rocks in the fire and toss them in the now-constructed river sauna. We’d aternate between dunking in the river and hopping into the sauna to warm up. On the LAST hop, Jay stuck his hand on the red-hot rocks severely burning it (there MAY have been some adult beverages in play)……but NEVER ONCE did Jay complain. He DID, however, spend a lot of time in the river from that point on….😖 🔥
ICE ❄️: A group of friends originated by the women and aptly named The Knitters Group would hold an annual dinner in the winter time at one of the Knitter’s homes. One year Leslie & I hosted and wanted to create a Snow theme, so I mentioned that I would head up to the mountains and fill up the bed of the truck with snow. Jay IMMEDIATELY said, “I’m IN!” and we spent a lovely afternoon getting the snow and delivering it to our back yard along with assorted winter sports paraphernalia.
What a great time with great friends. You’ll always be with us, JayBird! ❤️🙏

file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/53/03/028CCC94-FF81-4367-93CB-DEBB008857E3/IMG_1351.JPG

Read More Read Less

Scott & Mosey Lenicka

David Peterson

So many wonderful memories. Lunchtime runs with Al; telemark skiing at Hyak; ski trips; family times spent together with yearly winter trips to Winthrop mazama country inn: dick and sue, hot tub, sledding, doe canyon; chocolate hearts at Valentine's Day always remind us of you and your gentle, fun loving spirit. And your smile.

Rest in peace dear friend. And best to Chloe, Grace, Olivia and Avery.

Read More Read Less

Ruth Gifford

On behalf of the Dishman Hills Conservancy, we send or condolences to the family and friends of Jay Dehner. We thank you for your generosity in remembrance of Jay. -Ruth Gifford, Dishman Hills Conservancy.

Read More Read Less