James Jay Wasson

James Jay Wasson passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

Jay was born on March 12, 1965 in San Jose, California to the late Frederick Wasson II and Lynn Willis Wasson Martin.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Frederick Dorse Wasson and Virginia Page Wasson, Delbert Courtney Willis and Mary Zeldee Pennington Willis, and a brother William Keith Wasson.  

He is survived by his wife, Ann Marie Shaw Wasson; his sons, Joshua Shaw Wasson (Lauren) and James Nathaniel Wasson (Kortney); his mother, Lynn Martin; 3 siblings, Lisa Johnson (Jimmy), Doug Wasson, and Michael Wasson; a half-brother, Jason Wasson; an uncle, randy (Becky) Willis; his mother-in-law, Marsha Shaw; 2 sisters-in-law, Julie Shaw and Jeannie Bumgarner; a brother-in-law David Shaw (Carol); 3 nephews, Tommy Adams (Jessica), Dylan Wasson and Austin Bumgarner; 6 nieces, Courtney Wasson, Amber Wasson, Jennifer Smith, Bailey Smith, Hannah Wasson, and Maggie Bumgarner; and great nieces and nephews Haylie, Jase, Ethan, and Maverick.

Jay grew up in Texas, Kansas, and Florida.  He moved to Arlington, NC when he was in high school and graduated from Elkin High School in 1983. He then attended Surry Community College for 2 years in the college transfer program.  He attended and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill.  In 1984, Jay met the love of his life, Ann Marie Shaw.  They were married May 11, 1985 and they had two sons, Josh and Nathaniel.  Jay began teaching math at Woodward Middle School in Wilkes County. He later moved to Fall Creek and then Boonville in Yadkin County.  He finished his teaching career at Starmount Middle School.  After retiring, Jay enjoyed playing tennis and pickleball.  He returned to teaching part time as a substitute and math interventionist.

Jay was a loving husband and father.  He was a gifted teacher and coach who impacted thousands of students.  You are gone too soon.  We love you and miss you.  A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Wasson will be conducted 2:00 PM Saturday August, 6, 2022 in the Gentry Family Chapel of Yadkinville.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service at Gentry Family Funeral Service on Highway 601 in Yadkinville.  During the service and visitation, the family will provide an opportunity for friends and family to share photos and memories of Mr. Wasson.  For those who are unable to attend please either mail your handwritten note or photo to Jay Wasson Family, ℅ Gentry Family Funeral Service, 5108 US 601 Highway, Yadkinville, NC or you may send the items by email to [email protected].

The family wishes to thank Mountain Valley Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Thank you to Jessica Marie Fleenor Adams for organizing a meal train and to all who contributed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Yadkin County United Fund, PO Box 1608, Yadkinville, NC  27055 or to  the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center, Case Western Reserve University, 2085 Adelbert Road, Room 419, Cleveland, OH, 44106-4907. Please make checks out to NPDPSC and note that the donation is in memory of James Jay Wasson.  Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com.  Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Wasson Family.