Jay Dee Malsam passed away just after midnight on June 23, 2022. He had been battling cancer for well over a year. A celebration of life is planned for July 22, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at The Do Bar.
He was born on November 23, 1965, in Havre, MT. He was the first born of LeRoy and Leslie Malsam. He was described as a very sweet child, and his mom would fondly see him as that 3-year-old boy every time she looked at him.
Jay’s love for the outdoors was very apparent at an early age. The family farm north of Havre allowed for a lot of critters to be chased and captured. As an adult he loved big game hunting. He and Toby went on many trips hunting deer. Jay was always the one to claim the prize with many trophies on display at home.
Jay was changing oil on the family vehicles before he was 10. He had a love for cars that he shared with his dad. He fully restored his first pick up as a sophomore in high school. It was a 1949 Ford that had been abandoned on the farm. Engine restoration, body and paint were solely performed by Jay’s hands. Although his prized restoration was his 1969 Dodge Charger. He won many trophies at car shows. He loved everything about the muscle car era. Jay said, “he was born in the wrong generation.”
Jay met Jody at Great Falls High School. Jay asked Jody to be his wife their senior year. It was part of a class project. They were just close friends at that time as Jody would say. Jay attended Northern Montana College in Havre, where he studied Business and Body Mechanics. He returned to Great Falls and worked in the family Culligan business. He also reconnected with Jody and their friendship grew to a love that would make most couples jealous. They were married on October 3, 1987.
After 17 years of marriage, they were blessed with their only child, Lacie. She was Jay’s pride and joy. They had a very special bond and were able to share so many special times together. They shared a love for skiing. Just the two of them would spend many days on the slopes of Showdown. Lacie also shared her dad’s love of flying. She is getting her private pilot’s license right now and says that she will think of Dad every time she goes up. Lacie also helped her dad to become a Seahawks fan.
Summers are always so great here in the northwest and Jay took full advantage. This usually meant water skiing and boating. Jay and Jody purchased some land by the St. Joe River in Idaho. This land was shared with her siblings and family. Summers were spent there camping, fishing, four wheeling, shooting skeet, and playing hammer and nail game. These memories were shared over a couple of decades. He was able to watch the families grow. Uncle Jay became great-uncle Jay and he was very loved.
He had a passion for anything that had a motor. He started riding motorcycles at an early age. He took road trips on his Harley with his dad and Toby. Jay and Jody attended NASCAR races in Talladega, Daytona, and drag races in Vegas.
He had an entrepreneurial spirit like his dad. As a kid Jay put his mower on his wagon and hauled it up and down looking for jobs. He even organized a neighborhood baseball game in his backyard and sold tickets to the parents of the kids that were playing. He worked at the family business all through high school and then again after college. Initially Jay started as a route driver and would perform service work after his route. His route eventually had to be split into two routes because not one person alone could complete his work. Jay was the plant manager and grew the company bottled water business. He truly shined in the commercial water treatment division of the company. His mechanical and engineering skills will not be replaced. He loved trouble shooting and solving problem water issues. His title was Vice President, but he was so much more. He and Toby continued to expand the platform that their parents had given them. At the time of his passing, they had franchises in Great Falls, Helena, Shelby and Lewistown. The best part of a family business is they shared so much quality time together. Memories that will be cherished forever. To say he will be missed is an understatement.
Jay was survived by his wife, Jody; daughter, Lacie; mother, Leslie Malsam. brother, Toby (Shannon Pippin) Malsam; mother-in-law, Myrna Blatter; brothers, and sisters-in-law, Shawn (Tracy Blatter) Malley, Darrell Jr., and Rowena (Lohof) Blatter; nieces and nephews, Jackson and McKenna Malsam, Jason (Rachel Buckley) Bright, Jeremy (Heidi Peterson) Bright, Jeremy (Renee Malley) Schuiteman, Jeremiah (Emma Hoffman) Blatter, Dillon (Kali Blatter) Treiver; and many great-nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded by his father, LeRoy; father-in-law, Darrell Blatter; brother-in-law, Scott (Kim Blatter) Bright; and niece Anna Malley.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bravera Bank, Jay Dee Malsam Memorial Fund.
Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.
