Jay was born on July 10, 1961 to Neal and Patricia (Smith) Nielson of Yankton, South Dakota. He attended elementary and high school in Yankton, graduating from YHS in 1979. While in high school he participated in band, football, wrestling and the DECA program - which got him his start in the auto supply industry. He worked at Yankton Auto Supply with his dad from 1977 until his dad's death in 1993. He also worked part-time at River City Skateland from 1992 to 1995 as a floor guard/dj.

In 1995 he purchased Tyndall Auto Supply, and moved his family to Tyndall, SD. In 2002 he moved with his family to Springfield, SD. He sold Tyndall Auto Supply in 2007, but continued to act as manager and salesman until his death.

He met his wife Teresa on New Year's Eve 1979 while playing drums for JJ Country at Joes Steak House in South Yankton, NE. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on September 20, 1980 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton, SD. They welcomed five children into their marriage. Jay's children were the light of his life and his world revolved around them. He was even prouder when he became a grandpa - even saying if he knew grandkids were this fun, he would have had them first. He was affectionately called "Papa Vroom," because he was the grandpa who drove a motorcycle.

Jay was a really big kid who loved his family and his toys. He loved snowmobiling with a passion and couldn't wait for the snow to fly. As a family we always looked forward to our winter trips to the Black Hills. In the summer we spent many hours as a family out on the boat. He also loved his motorcycle and enjoyed taking long trips with his wife on the bike. We enjoyed a lot of family time going to amusement parks, riding bikes, roller skating, and just hanging around talking. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, trap shooting, playing Texas Hold-em and Blackjack. In his younger years, he was a drummer in different country bands that traveled around the area, including JJ Country, Country Combination and Chouteau Creek.

Because of his great ability as a salesman, he was awarded the NAPA 5-Star Excellence Award four times - and was able to enjoy vacations in Cancun, Cabo, Los Cabos and the Dominican Republic with his wife. He also won a trip to Phoenix, Arizona to a NASCAR race, and participated in the pit crew during a NASCAR Truck Series Race. Most recently he won his favorite trip ever - a trip to North Carolina to attend BMW Performance Driving School - where he got to drive BMW vehicles "like he stole them."

Jay was a member of the Springfield and Tyndall Chambers of Commerce, was a past club president of the Bon Homme Lions Club, member of Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, the Tyndall Development Corporation and past member of the Tyndall Rotary. Before his death, Jay was in the process of setting up a snowmobile trail system for the Bon Homme area.

Jay was one of a kind. He knew everyone - it seemed like we couldn't go anywhere with him without running into someone he knew. He also had the funniest sense of humor. He was always making jokes and exaggerating stories. We will really miss his quirky ways and the hilarious things that he would say. It is so hard for us to say goodbye to him so soon. 50 years doesn't seem like a long time to live a life, but he packed a lot into those years - and lived it to the fullest. We are forever grateful for every memory we have of him.

He is preceded in death by his father, Neal Nielson, paternal and maternal grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

Forever grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 31 years, Teresa (Brasel) Nielson, of Springfield, SD, daughter Jennifer (John) Bame of Aberdeen, SD, son Chad (Kelly) Nielson of Sioux Falls, SD, daughter Janelle (Jeff) Sayler of Tabor, SD, daughter Kristin Nielson and fiancé Shane Ludens of Sioux Falls, SD, son Justin Nielson of Springfield, SD, grandsons James and Jacob Bame of Aberdeen, SD, granddaughter Marla Sayler of Tabor, SD, mother Patricia Nielson of Yankton, SD, brother Chris (Sonya) Nielson of Grand Forks, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the Wagner Community Hospital and Clinic for providing the cookies and bars for after the committal services Thursday afternoon.