Jay Stanley Fuzzell, age 70, of Springfield, passed away on July 2, 2024, at Jacob’s Ladder, End of Life Care Home. Jay was born to Jack Eugene and Bonnie Jean (Best) Fuzzell on October 27, 1953, in Springfield, Missouri. He was raised in Springfield and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1971. He graduated from Missouri State University (SMSU at the time) with his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1981, his Master of Science in Education in 1986, and his Specialist in Education and Educational Administration in 1988.  

Jay worked in various Missouri schools as a teacher and principal. He also coached volleyball and baseball in his free time. He loved working with students of all ages and watching them succeed. He later went to work for the State of Missouri and began his career with the Department of Corrections in April of 1993 as the Education Supervisor at Boonville Correctional Center (BCC). He then transferred to Ozark Correctional Center (OCC) in Fordland, Missouri with the same title in August of 1994, where he worked for 15 years and retired in 2008. While Jay oversaw the Offender Education Program at OCC, they had the title of the best overall GED passing percentage in the state. Along with education, Jay also taught the importance of being an upstanding citizen, and the values of an honorable husband and father to the offender community.  

When not working, Jay had many interests and pastimes including reading books of all kinds, jogging, racquetball, playing trivia, and enjoying many genres of music. Nothing, however, brought him more fulfillment than studying the Bible and sharing his faith with others. He was the president of Magnify the Lord Ministries and donated Bibles, devotionals, study materials, and soccer balls with the gospel message, that he shared locally and overseas in Central America. He was a member of Hamlin Baptist Church for many years and taught Sunday School. He most recently attended Northside Christian Church. 

He will also be remembered for his involvement with Springfield Advocates for Youth where he built computers and donated them to underprivileged children. He was often described by others as being determined, intelligent, dependable, respectful, and would go above and beyond to help others out of the kindness of his heart. He lived on his own until August 2023, when he moved to The Lakewood Arbors Memory Care Facility. During his short time there, he made many friends and touched the lives of the staff, residents and their family members. He assisted with Sunday morning worship services and gave Bibles to residents in need.  

Jay is proceeded in death by his grandparents, Reverend O.O. and Mildred Best, Harvey and Bernice Fuzzell, and his parents, Jack and Bonnie Fuzzell. He is survived by his brother, Kent Fuzzell  and sister-in-law, Connie; niece, Lacey and her husband, Bryan Hinrichsen; niece, Megan and her husband, Eric Hawkins; as well as many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. 

The family will host a visitation on Friday, July 5, 2024, from 3:30-4:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Jay’s Celebration of Life service will begin immediately following his visitation at 4:00 pm. Jay will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Arrangements are under the compassionate direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield, Missouri.