Jay McAlvain

James Walter ?Jay? McAlvain, 71-year-old longtime educator and Seminole resident passed from this life January 19, 2009 at Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born November 10, 1937 in Oologah, Oklahoma to parents William Polk McAlvain and Sara Louise (Woodside) McAlvain.rnrnJay graduated from Oologah High School in 1956 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 and his Master?s degree in 1964, both from Northeastern University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Prior to moving to Seminole Jay taught at Oologah Public Schools and at the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore. He also taught at Joplin Public Schools in Missouri.rnrnJay married Jacqueline ?Jackie? Lynn Fox on June 8, 1963 in Alba, Missouri. The couple moved to Seminole 39 years ago from Owasso, Oklahoma. Jackie taught at Seminole Public Schools while Jay began teaching in the Language Arts Division at Seminole Junior College he started there in 1971 when the college classes were being held at the local Presbyterian Church during the construction of the current campus. As an English Composition teacher, and later a Speech instructor, Jay influenced the lives of thousands of students. In addition to his work in the classroom, he was an honorary member of the athletic department. He worked to support the efforts of the entire campus, serving in any capacity needed, including bus driver, scorekeeper, assistant coach and cheerleader.rnrnJay taught at Seminole State College for 27 years before his retirement in 1998. He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Oologah, Oklahoma. Jay was also a member of the Higher Education Alumni Association, Oklahoma Coaches Association, Seminole High School Booster Club and the Seminole State Booster Club. He was honored by inclusion in ?Who?s Who Among College American University Instructors,? and selected as an ?Outstanding Young Educator of the Southwest.? Jay was also involved in the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and the Seminole Elks Lodge where he was a Past Exalted Ruler.rnrnSurvivors include his wife, Jacqueline ?Jackie? McAlvain of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Russell and LaDonna McAlvain, Brian and Sherri McAlvain and Brad McAlvain all of Seminole, Oklahoma; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed and Mary McAlvain of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Harold and Pat McAlvain of Nacona, Texas; one sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sally and Ed Lippert of Willow, California; four grandchildren, Chad, Paige, Lauren and Brynna McAlvain all of Seminole, Oklahoma. Jay is also survived by a host of other family and dear friends.rnrnFuneral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma. Dr. Tommy Clark will officiate the service. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Seminole, Oklahoma.rnrnBecause of the love Jay had for Seminole State College and its athletic programs the family has requested that that donations be made to the athletic department, in memory of Jay. Donations can be sent to Seminole State College, Educational Foundation, c/o Jay McAlvain Memorial, P.O. Box 351, Seminole, Oklahoma 74868.rnrnServices are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.rn Funeral Information: January 22, 2009, 11:00 AM