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Remembering Jay Jackson
RICHARD SUNDSTROM (JAY JACKSON) 1931-2009
REMEMBERING JAY JACKSON
JAY JACKSON, AKA RICHARD SUNDSTROM, age 77, of Ellsworth, formerly of Luverne, died Saturday, February 21, 2009, at his home.
Jay is survived by his wife, Kay Sundstrom, Ellsworth; daughter, Nancy Sundstrom, Minneapolis; step daughter, Lizie (Glen) Andersen, Sisseton, SD; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and a brother, Ken (Pat) Sundstrom, Coon Rapids.
Here are some memories of Jay Jackson:
I had the privilege of working with Jay Jackson for over 15 years, and
working as his morning partner for almost 8 years. Jay and I had a great
time on the air every day we worked together. It wasn't always that way
off the air.
I remember when I came to K-101 in 1993. Jay scared the living daylights out of me. Here was this broadcast legend, working here. How in the world am I going to deal with him. I was technically his boss, but Jay did everything he could to let me know that he was going to do his program they way he knew how to. We had a few clashes of egos, but one thing I realized right away, this guy was talented and very popular. Who was I to tell him how to do his show?
Jay was country radio. He was a personality, something you don't find a lot of in the radio business these days. He was a walking country music encyclopedia. He knew everything about artists, their careers and their music. I would listen to Jay, and try to absorb everything he was saying. I wish he would've have written a book, or I would have recorded those stories.
Jay and I became good friends once we started working together on the morning show. If only the listeners could have heard a lot of our off air conversations. Many days, we'd laugh so hard, we'd both hurt. We developed a closeness that's hard to describe. One of the highlights of our friendship was when we won the Thursday afternoon men's golf league title at the Luverne Country Club. Neither of us were good golfers, he was better than me, but we got hot during the playoffs, and with our high handicaps, won it all. I found out at that time that Jay was really competitive. He was that way on the air. He strived to be the best, and was always happy when the ratings came out, and K-101 was number 1.
He really appreciated hearing from the listeners. My dad died when I was in my teens, and Jay was like a dad to me, especially during the tough times in my life. He was always there for me. We developed a deep respect for each other, and could laugh at just about anything. I hope I can pass down everything he taught me, to the next generation off radio announcers.
I was so happy when Jay decided to retire, that he agreed to continue to make appearances on the morning show, from his home in Ellsworth. Even though it didn't last long, we still had a great time.
Jay loved his wife Kay, and his daughter and grandchildren. He gave some people the impresssion that he was gruff, but he was a real softie inside.
He had a huge heart, and would have given the shirt off his back to someone
in need. It 's hard to believe, but Jay was an introvert, and he was a little shy
in public.
Jay was the consummate professional. There will never be another one like him.I miss him as a co-worker, but I really miss him as a friend. I am so thankful that I had the privelege of working with him, but more importantly, being his friend.
Rest in Peace My Friend-Bruce Thalhuber
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Just want to let you know how sorry I feel. I knew Jay had been in the hospital and missed him on the radio. Didn't realize he was so sick -- he definitely will be missed on the radio with you in the mornings!!!!
In sympathy,Marian Schneekloth.
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I'm Jean, from the meat dept. in Glens, who lives in Ellsworth. I
want to offer you my deep sympathy on the loss of your good friend,
Dick (Jay Jackson). I know you thought a lot of each other, and you
will miss him greatly. I will, too. The two of you in the mornings
on my drive to work, made my day!! Your bantering entertained lots
of us listeners. Our paths crossed, but never enough. He now joins
two mutual friends with whom he used to golf a "few" years ago.
Perhaps they are on the green even now???? :-) If so, there will be
a great reunion. Sincerely, Jean Blomgren
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Jay really knew that 'Laughter is the best medicine," and he would fill that prescription for his listeners every weekday morning on the radio.
Dan Johnson.
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I'm so sorry about Jay (the only name I knew him by). I had sent him a birthday card on his birthday and it read something like the "The doctor that delivered you said 'you wouldn't amount to anything'!" I added that the doctor didn't know much of anything because he would never know how many people's lives you would touch throughout your life. That was as close to singing him Happy Birthday as I could get as you two always did for me.
I knew he always liked a joke and it showed in his personality. He always knew my voice when I called the station and he choose to read a few of my jokes I sent to him. I always marveled at his knowledge of the artist and songs.
He will be missed by all of us.
Al Thomas
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I was deeply saddened when I heard that Jay had passed away. I
knew from our last conversation that his health was declining. I just
kept thinking that he'd pull through like he had in the past.
I remember Jay from several radio stations: KXRB, WNAX, a station
in Bismark, ND and obviously K101. Had it not been for Jay, I never
probably would have heard of artists like John Prine, Guy Clark, Joe
Ely, Robert Earl Keen, ect, etc. I really appreciated his taste for
music, and his willingness to put in on the air. Guy Clark has a song
entitled "Stuff that Works." Jay epitomizes that song. My thoughts and
prayers go out to Jay's family.
Dan Kruse
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We were saddened to hear of Jay's death! We listen to your program each and every morning and want you to know that he will be missed very much!!
Please send our heartfelt condolences to his wife and family and also to those of you at the radio station who were so close to him.
Sincerely,
Gene and Marie Knock
Garretson SD
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I am sorry to have heard that Jay passed away this weekend. He knew so much about the classic country genre and he shared this talent for so many years. We were blessed to have heard his laughter and to have shared in his mornings since 1993. Take solace in the fact that he was part of the K101 family for so many years.
We will miss him, he was truely a country classic.
Margie Salentiny
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I've only been a listener for the last few years, but always loved the morning show and the laughter shared between Jay and Bruce. A positive way to start my day. I guess I had no idea that Jay was a broadcasting legend, but it sure doesn't surprise me. His observations and music knowledge were an immediate draw for me and the great mix of country music, especially from the past, made K101 special. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kay and to the K101 family. He will be missed.
John Vander Stelt
Maurice, IA
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We will miss Jay on the morning show. My husband and I are dairy farmers and we have you on every morning. We will miss the chuckles we got from your jokes and the mornings when Jay and Bruce would laugh so hard on the air we had to laugh with them. It got our mornings off to the right start. Jay will be missed. Thank you for those mornings. Jim and Tami Nelson—Ruthton, MN.
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We want to extend Our Deepest Sympathy to the family and friends of Jay Jackson,we loved his jokes especially the ones about the blonds he made our day!!! Earl and Joyce Erdman,Lismore MN
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Jay will be deeply missed and I hope his humor will live on. My morning commutes from Rutland SD to Sioux Falls were very enjoyable listening to Jay and Bruce on the Morning show. The birthdays, and the morning jokes were great. Jay’s voice was so easy to listen to. My deepest sympathy and God Bless you Kay and “Zoey”. Zoey was also part of the morning show. You could hear him in the background once in a while. Also when Jay had Kay running for Mayor of Edgerton he had a good time with this. In sympathy, Joleen
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I sort of knew that Jay's passing was inevitable but was not ready for the shock and heartache that I felt when I heard of his passing. Jay was a super friend for so many years. We were a lot a like in so many ways. The main one was that we loved the OLD country, Johnny Cash, The Statlers, Gene Watson, Moe Bandy, Willie, Ray Price and so many more. No Billy Gillman's or Rascal Flats for us guys.
I loved to call in to Jay and Bruce with request and play Stump The Dummies. I only won a couple of times. I thought I had a winner and asked what Country Music Entertainer of the year headlined the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pagent in De Smet. Jay said you will have to do better than that, I was the Emcee. From his days as "Stonewall" to the day that we say farewell he is my Hall Of Fame D. J.
He never failed to find the song that I usually requested, it was almost always Farewell Party by Gene Watson. I was going to request that today, but I will have to wait until tomorrow. I could not get it out over the phone. I will get better dear friend and I WILL HAVE FUN AT YOUR FAREWELL PARTY. I will miss you and you can rest in peace that Bruce will carry on and we will never forget you. Love you Jay.
Very few people can be identified by their laugh but that will be one of my fond memories of Jay, the great laugh/chuckle. Always was a day brightener.
Bruce your ending tribute was also Hall Of Famer material. I do not know how you did it. Great Job.
Cam & Sharon Lind, Sioux Falls, S. D.
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i have only been in this area for 8 years and when i first moved here i was lost without a REAL country music station. an older woman that i worked with told me about k101 and i was hooked from that point on. i listened to jay and bruce every morning at the restaurant i worked at and then took another job and they didn't allow us to have a radio in the kitchen (can you imagine?),so for the last few years i have missed all good times i used to have with you two. i was so sad to hear about jay's passing,my sympathies to his family and also to those of you who worked with him. carry on bruce i know you can catch up with him someday, all of his knowledge about music will sneak into your head when you are least expecting it and i WILL continue to catch your solid gold saturday show evry chance i get.
kathee
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My 11 year old son and I are very saddened to hear of the death of Jay Jackson. We listened to your radio program every morning at 7:50 and we always enjoyed his joke to make us laugh before school. It will be a big void in our morning routine and we will both miss Jay tremendously. Our sympathy's go out to his family, he made our day happier and I'm sure many others too. Julie Steinle Worthington, MN
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I always enjoyed listening to you guys in the morning. I usually tuned in at 5:45 to hear this day in history and today's birthdays. Mr. Jackson had a great sense of humor and will be be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jay's family.
Thanks,
Ryan
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I am sorry to hear about Jay. You two were great in the morning. Listening to you two made my drives to work so much fun! I loved the jokes, the stories, and many times just hearing you two laughing with or at each other was wonderful. Then when my girls started riding the bus we loved to listen while we waited for the bus to come. I just want you to know that we will sure miss him on the radio!
Cheryl Hartman
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I don't have any one memory, just that my parents have always listened to K101 in the morning and I remember it growing up and Bruce and Jay WERE K101 to me, almost made me feel at home when I heard those two joking around on the radio. It will never be the same without him.
Leann Kruger
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Jay's passing leaves a huge gap in his own family as well as the K101 family. How many times have we listeners quoted something we'd heard Jay say on the early show? He tickled our funny bones, he added to our knowledge of country music, he entertained us royally, and we loved him even though the majority of us never met him in person.
To Kay and Family, to his precious girl Zoey, to his K101 family, we offer our condolences. Life can be the same after the loss of a trinket, but never after the loss of a treasure. Jay was surely a treasurer in all our hearts.
August & Nadine Froderman
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Jay is already sadly missed by the many K-101 listeners. We all enjoy the banter of Jay and Bruce. I often paced my morning routine of getting ready to go to work by the place they were at on the morning show. We all became acquainted with not only Jay and Bruce, but Kay and Zoey. They all became a part of our family and Jay will be missed by all.
Annie P Hardwick
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Thinking of you at this difficult time in the loss of your friend and co-worker
Jay. We will miss his laugh and sense of humor.
In sympathy
Bill and Pauline Martin Luverne
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I would like to send out my prayers and sympathy for the Jackson family. Jay was a true country legend on the radio. He seemed to know everything there was about country music. I listened to him when I was a kid, and was so amazed at his knowledge of country music. He will be missed!!!
Daryl Becker
Madison, SD
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On Monday, February 23rd, I heard the song "Big Balls In Cowtown" which I knew was one of Jay's favorites. I commented to my husband, "Hey, I think
Jay's going to be on today". Well, I found out different once the song was over, when Bruce T told us the news of Jay passing away the Saturday before at his home.
Jay Jackson has been a part of my life for so many years, with Bruce Lease, then Neil Roberts, and now Bruce T. Since I retired 3 years ago,
Jay and Bruce are what motivated me to get up at 5:30 in the morning
so I could listen to them at 5:45. I sat down and had my first cup of coffee
whie they did the birthdays, events in history, and their jokes, which they both laughed at together(and so did I).
I think Classic Country is #1, and loved the way Jay stood up for it. Saturdays I got up at 6:00 to listen to him play and talk about the old country songs until 9:00.
When K101 also had an office in Worthington, I used to call in often to win things. He soon recoginized my voice and told me who I was without me telling him.
He definitely touched my life so much and also so many others, and will be dearly missed by all of his fans.
WHAT A GUY!
No Jay, Don't Thank Us For The Memories, WE THANK YOU!
You were SO SO Special
Sandy Reed-Round Lake
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Sorry for the loss of Jay. After I retired I would put the radio on early to catch
Bruce guessing ages of people. Over the years I sleep later but still put it on by the bed to catch some of the jokes and stories. A little laughter early in the day makes it brighter. I hope you tell a joke or a Dumber that Dumb story or other tidbits to laugh about. My son listened going to the school bus to drive.
Unsigned.
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