Jay Dee Elliott, 67, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday March 3 , 2020.

On November 5 , 1952, in Indianapolis, he was born  to Harold L. Elliott and Connie M. Turner Elliott who preceded him in death.

He spent his childhood in Plainfield and Lakeville,  before moving to Rochester in 1961. As a child, he was a prankster by nature. He enjoyed a good practical joke and loved scaring his sister at any opportunity, often jumping out from behind trees and furniture to hear her scream!  Jay loved to play catch as a young boy, and this athletic skill would serve him well in his teenage years.

At 6'9", Jay was easy to spot whenever he walked into a room, of course ducking through every doorway. He excelled at sports during his time as a Rochester Zebra, playing center and wearing #50 for basketball and first base wearing #17 for baseball.

In 1971, he graduated from Rochester High School and went on to attend Milligan College on a basketball scholarship. He later went on to be drafted for the Kansas City Royals farm team.

On November 29 , 1986, he married Robbin Trosper who survives.

Jay worked as a material handler for Accument-Global Technology for 40 years retiring in 2015.

In his free time, Jay enjoyed taking long drives around Lake Manitou with his canine companion Drew, aka Drewman Capote, while listening to his favorite band, Creedence Clearwater Revival. He relaxed by going fishing, playing a good game of Euchre, watching sports on TV and rooting for the Chicago Cubs. Throughout his life, he continued his love for practical jokes and telling a good tall tale.

He passed on his wealth of sports knowledge by coaching Little League with the Rochester Youth Baseball League in the 1980s and 90s. One of his favorite sayings when giving advice with regards to the competition was,  "Don't you worry about them, you let them worry about you.".

More than anything, he loved being a grandfather and would make sure to pass on life's lessons to his grandchildren at any opportunity.

Jay is survived by his wife, Robbin, of Rochester; children Jennifer Estes husband Justin of Indianapolis,  Jayson Elliott and wife Karen of New York, NY, and Della Elliott of Rochester; his beloved grandchildren: Damian, Dakota, and Jaiden Elliott and Sophia and Caleb Estes; his sister Beckie Elliott-Maxwell and husband Jerry of Roann;  and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of  Jay's life will be held at a later date. Memorials in his honor may be made to the Rochester High School Basket Ball Team, 690 Zebra Lane, Rochester, IN  46975 or Rochester Little League, PO Box 265, Rochester, IN 46975