L. Jay Gildersleeve, 69, Lincoln, passed away unexpectedly on August 18, 2016. Jay was born to Lloyd William and Audie May (Porter) Gildersleeve in Hamburg, Iowa on February 16, 1947. Jay had fond memories of his time growing up in Rock Port, Missouri and particularly enjoyed reconnecting with many classmates at his 50th high school class reunion in May 2015. He graduated from UNL with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and went on to obtain his J.D. from the UNL College of Law. He clerked for Judge Harry Spencer at the Nebraska Supreme Court for one year, then entered private practice in Auburn, Nebraska. In 1978 he returned to Lincoln to work for the Nebraska State Board of Educational Lands and Funds as Deputy Director and General Counsel, and later on served as the agency director for several years until retiring in 2009. Longtime attendee of Lincoln Berean Church and lifelong member of First Lutheran Church, Rock Port. He married Susan (Sue) Hall Clemmons in 1983.
Jay enjoyed The Beatles, fishing, Husker athletics (especially Women’s Volleyball), WWII history (he could identify and describe any plane, tank, etc. from that era), science and science fiction, and discussing politics. As a high school junior, he was selected as one of two junior state senators from Missouri, and spent a week in Washington DC shadowing a Missouri senator. Among the highlights was meeting President Lyndon B Johnson. He also enjoyed traveling and sight-seeing. Within the last six summers, Jay and Sue enjoyed three trips to Europe, a family Mediterranean cruise, and an Alaskan cruise this past July.
Besides his wife Sue, other survivors include their daughter Jennifer, Lincoln; mother Audie, Rock Port; nephew Brad (Cassie) Volker of Overland Park, KS; mother-in-law Betty Hall of Bismarck, IL; and several brothers-and-sisters-in laws: Alan Volker, Tarkio, MO; Nancy (Gary) Gray, Bismarck, IL; Marcia (Rex) Kibler, Jacksonville, IL; Larry (Susan) Hall, Nashville, TN; and Dan (Sabina) Hall of Danville, IL. Other surviving family members include three aunts, several cousins and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Lloyd, dear sister Debbie Volker and father-in-law Robert Hall.
Private family services. Later this fall, a graveside service will be held at Huffman Family Cemetery, Bismarck, IL. Memorials are suggested to the University of Nebraska Foundation’s College of Law fund, or charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be left at www.bmlfh.com.
L. Jay Gildersleeve
August 24, 2016