Jay Ernest Schafer

Jay Schafer 64, of Canadian stepped in to his heavenly home on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at his home in Canadian, surrounded by his loving family.

Currently no public services are planned. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Jay Ernest Schafer was born June 2, 1962, in Canadian to Jerry and Joyce Hyatt Schafer. He attended Canadian schools and completed high school with the class of 1980. Jay married Janice Lay Forrest in Amarillo on January 1, 1992, they made their home and raised their family in Canadian.

Jay was a hard worker. Working for Canadian Feedyards for twenty-one years as a mechanic. The last eleven years he loved working for Hemphill County with John Walser and Commissioner Tim Alexander as a mechanic and on the road crew. In his off hours, Jay could be found in his home workshop.

Jay was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed being outside shooting guns or sitting in a deer blind over just about anything else. Any time sighting in guns or filling deer feeders was time well spent, in his mind. So many of the stories his friends could share about Jay involved these two things. If he wasn’t shooting or hunting, you could find him next to a pond casting a line, and any these activities were made ten times better if his daughter was by his side.

Jay loved making people laugh, he was ornery to his core. He had so many clever sayings and quick comebacks that his close family and friends can quote them by heart. Nothing made him laugh, like successfully pulling off a prank on his friends. He carried out the Schafer name so well in that aspect.

One of the greatest lessons he left behind was that it is okay to fail, as long as you keep trying. The number of times he would say, “well…that’s alright!” is innumerable. Nothing was ever too serious in his eyes, and tomorrow was always another chance to try again. What an amazing mindset to carry in our hearts in his honor.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Schafer and Jo and Kerry Westbrook, his brother, Joe Lynn Schafer and a bonus grandson, Kyler Forrest.

Those left to cherish Jay’s memory are his wife, Janice of the home; daughter, Jaymee Wright and husband Tyler of Amarillo; bonus children, Matt Forrest and wife Denise of Amarillo, Rebecca Forrest Vestre and husband Jason of Los Osos, CA, Steven Forrest and wife Nikki of Amarillo; grandchildren, Creed Bryan Wright and Hadlee Joyce Wright; bonus grandchildren, Haylee Carter and husband Richard of Amarillo, Sara Callistro and husband Robby of Rolla, MO., Jayden Vestre and Kayla Vestre of Los Osos, CA., Jacoby Forrest, Camden and Hudson Forrest and Lilli Forrest of Amarillo; nephew, Jesse Joe Schafer and wife Chelsea of Stillwater, OK.; bonus siblings, Scott Westbrook and wife Candi of Tyro, KS., Kirk Westbrook and wife Laura of Canadian; and numerous other family members.

Jay had so many wonderful friends, many who honored him with visits, prayers and food in the day prior to his passing.

Memorials may be made to Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4th, Canadian, TX 79014.

Jay would want people to remember him in the way he touched your life.