JL (Jay) Bachelor

JL (Jay) Bachelor, age 85, passed away April 10, 2026 at his home in Mt.Pleasant, TN after a brief illness.

He was born on a Friday, September 13, 1940 in Dekalb County, Alabama to the late Jesse and Cordie Bachelor. He married Dorothy (Dot) Crump on a rainy night in Georgia on March 26,1958 just a few months shy of graduation from Emma Sampson High School in Alabama City, Alabama. He and Dot shared 68 years together. Jay joined the Navy in 1958. He served 22 years earning the rank of Senior Chief. During his time of service, Jay and his family had the opportunity to travel and explore the US and Caribbean including a 4 year tour of duty in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Jay, a master storyteller, possessed a vast collection of tales from his life, including his upbringing on Bailey Hill, his time in the Navy, and the people he met along the way. He loved country music and often told the story of how he hitchhiked a ride from Johnny Cash when he was a young sailor. He decided to start running in his mid 30’s and completed the 1994 Marine Corps Marathon when he was 54. He was a poet, a scholar, and a truth seeker. His words and actions were living proof of his love for God by how he loved others. He was a mentor, a father figure, and a friend. Jay and Dot’s home was a sanctuary, a place where people felt safe and welcomed, with an open door and an open heart. If Jay was sitting on the porch you can guarantee someone was there sitting beside him passing the time or seeking fatherly wisdom. He used his own life experiences, the good and the bad, to help others see that scars are part of the journey. He was a testimony to the power of forgiveness.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, daughter, Renee (Duane) Leach, grandsons Bryson (Susan) Leach, Alex Leach (Mike), sister Wanda (Bobby) Collins, brother Gene (Karen) Bachelor, 3 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of others who adopted him as family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Ruth Love.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

For those who knew and loved Jay, raise a glass of root beer or chocolate milk in celebration of a life fully lived. Remember him when you see a sunset, smell the sea air, or hear Willie Nelson. Honor him by blessing others with your hospitality, love, and genuine acceptance.