James "Jay" D. Jeffries, 71 years, Fort Madison, Iowa died at 12:00 am Friday, December 27, 2019 at his home. He was born October 6, 1948 at Fort Madison, Iowa, a son of James Edward and Kathryne (Francis) Jeffries. On September 11, 1976, he married Carol Stevenson at Nauvoo, Illinois. She survives.

He was a 1966 Fort Madison High School graduate. He graduated with an Associates Degree from Southeastern Community College and a Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State. Jay retired in 2011 from E I DuPont after 40 years. He was a huge Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed genealogy, stamp collecting, gardening and spending time with his family. Jay's two loves in life were his family and the Chicago Cubs.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Jeffries of Fort Madison; one son: Nick (Michelle) Jeffries, of Burlington, Iowa; two daughters, Joni (Shane) Manning, of New London, Iowa and Melissa Jeffries of Fort Madison, Iowa; his mother, Kay Jeffries, of Fort Madison, Iowa; father in law, Al Stevenson, of Fort Madison, Iowa; brother and sister in laws: Douglas and Pam Knowles; Tony and Cathy Stevenson; Douglas and Sandy Stevenson and Bryan and Debbie Fessler; and six grandchildren: Isabella, Eliana, and Branz Manning and Avery, Harper, and Emerson Jeffries and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, James; mother in law, Joan Stevenson; sister in law, Ellen Fessler and one brother, Kevin Jeffries.

His family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 29, 2019 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa. To honor Jay, dress either in Cubbie blue or Hawkeye colors. Memorial services will follow and begin at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Barr Memorial Chapel with Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will be at the Thornber Cemetery, Powellton, Illinois. Memorials have been established with the Great River Hospice, contributions may be made at the chapel.