Jay D. Mudder, 52 of Avon

Public visitation is at First Baptist Church in Avon, SD on Tuesday, April 25, from 4:00-7:00 pm followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Service is Wednesday, April 26 at the Avon High School Gymnasium at 10:30 am. Lunch will be served at the Avon High School Auxiliary Gymnasium following the committal service at First Baptist Cemetery. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Avon is in charge of the arrangements.

Jay David Mudder, age 52, of Avon, SD, died on Saturday, April 22, from a farming accident at his home. Jay was born on April 4, 1965 to Jerry and Cherilyn [Nelson] Mudder, in Yankton, SD.

Jay graduated from Avon High School in 1984 and attended one year at DWU. Jay had various jobs in the construction industry as well as Street and Water Commissioner for the City of Avon. He worked at Schultz Ready Mix, JD Mudder Construction & Steel Erection, and Welfl Construction. Currently Jay worked as Head Maintenance/Custodian at Avon School District for the past 9 years. Jay loved working at the school. He loved visiting and joking with staff members and especially enjoyed getting to know the kids. He took a lot of pride in making sure the school and grounds were cared for well.

Jay married his high school sweetheart, Julie Kocmick, on October 7, 1989, in Dante, SD; they were blessed with two children, Emily (22) and Lukkes (18).

Jay volunteered for many community services. He was a 30-year member of the Avon Fire Department, which included fire fighter, chief, and officer. In the past, he also served as an EMT, member of city council, Avon Development Corporation, and Chamber of Commerce. Jay was baptized on October 24, 1976 at First Baptist Church and remained a faithful member all of his life.

Jay enjoyed many things. His life-passion was Black Angus cattle. He was a member of the American Angus Association. He avidly researched bloodlines and enjoyed internet blogging with different cattlemen forging friendships all over the country. He attended AI school using his research to build his herd. He collected toy tractors, Breyer animal replicas, Curtiss Breeding items, and old magazines. He loved football and scouting for the Avon Pirates and attending sporting events of his children. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and immensely enjoyed the beauty of the countryside and his home. He was always "snapping" pictures, sharing his love of nature on Facebook.

Jay has many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved to tease. One of his family members pegged him as the "kid whisperer". Jay had a big heart and a sarcastic, witty sense of humor. He never minced words and always spoke what he meant. He was a caring and loving husband and father who was hugely proud of his children.

Jay is survived by his wife and children, Julie, Emily, & Lukkes; mother, Cherilyn Mudder, brothers and sister, Jim & Samantha Mudder, Jan & Nadia Mudder, Jeri Lyn & Corey Jastram; uncles and aunts, Alvin & Betty Mudder, Adella Massey, Bob Pudwill, Richard & Charlene Nelson, Galen Nelson, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by father, Jerry Mudder, grandparents George & Elsie Mudder, Clayton & Marie Nelson, uncles & aunts, Miriam & Arnold Johnson, Roger Mudder, Marvin & Charlotte Mudder, Shirley Pudwill, Velda & Dewey Olsen.