Tribute to Jay

By Les Smith, Lt Col USAF (Ret), Stevensville

I am an 84-year-old combat veteran, but when I recently read the obituary for Jay Seppel, I wept openly. Local readers who also knew Jay, or knew of him, will understand.

I first met Jay and his brothers Guy and Jim while working on the Stevensville Senior Center, being built back then by our original Carpenters for Christ group.

A battered old Chevy suburban pulled up and a band of bearded brothers disembarked to announce, “We’re here to do the roof.” We were fresh out of funds, so the others looked for my response. I hollered back from the roof, “How much do you want?” They responded, “We’re here to do the roof.” We volleyed back and forth this way a few times until I climbed down to learn they weren’t trying to bid the project. They were offering to do it for free.

The next morning, we waited for the frost to disappear, and 4 1/2 hours later, the building had a new metal roof at $0 for labor.

Over the years, Hazel and I were blessed to become good friends with Jay and his brothers. They built our wonderful home, and volunteered on so many community projects. 

Jay was a gentle man but had no tolerance for shabby work. None. I remember a time a temporary worker made a minor mistake and Jay quietly asked him to redo it. Met with the irritated reply, “What difference does it make? It just gets covered up and nobody will see it,” Jay stopped work and gathered his entire crew. He explained his expectation that their work would be perfect, absolute excellence was the only acceptable standard, and anyone content with less could go on home. 

Every project I have ever seen by the Seppels is more than just a building. Theirs is the work of true craftsmen and artists.

Beyond the Senior Center, Jay volunteered hundreds of hours repairing and building additions to the North Valley Public Library and other community projects. He repeatedly helped needy and some not-so-needy people.

A few months back, Jay called to let me know of his terminal illness and pending departure from this earth. Objecting to any sympathy I offered, he stated simply that he wanted to say proper goodbyes to friends and loved ones. I cried talking with him then, and again, uncontrollably, when I read his obituary. 

Suffice it to say I am frustrated by the insufficiency of my words to do justice to this great but simple man, who was loved and respected by all who knew him. I felt moved to pay my respects and reflect on my good fortune to have called Jay Seppel my friend.