Jay Richard Shope passed away peacefully on May 8, 2019 with loving family by his side. He was born on August 12, 1954 in Bowling Green, OH and remained a life-long resident of his beloved hometown. Jay graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1973 and earned a certificate in Auto Mechanics from Penta County Vocational School. He was a self-employed truck driver for many years and most recently worked for Jack Hood Transportation.
Jay’s passion was driving fast cars that he frequently built himself or with the help of his many friends. He found joy while wrenching on cars, trucks, motorcycles, or just about anything with an engine, and he was very good at it. Jay was a talented driver who raced cars at Norwalk, Milan, Marion, and elsewhere. He was a great car guy who also discovered a love for Harley Davidson motorcycles later in life.
Jay had an adventurous soul and a generous spirit. He earned a pilot’s license, owned a small plane, and flew many friends and family up into the sky. Jay gave freely to those he loved and radiated warmth towards everyone he knew. Jay was great with kids, his own and several other children he loved like they were his own.
Jay was the second child of David Elias and Patricia Ann Shope of Bowling Green, who both preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Shelly Ann (Arnold) Zavaleta of Bowling Green, his brothers, David Hugh (Susan) Shope of Kingwood, TX and Roger Allen (Brenda) Shope of Bowling Green, and his sons, Jay Justin Shope of Bowling Green and Christopher David (Julie) Shope of Toledo.
There will be graveside service at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bowling Green on Friday, May 17 at 1pm. Please feel free to dress up or just come as you are. If you have a classic car or a motorcycle, we encourage you to bring it; Jay would love that. Memorials can be made to the Shope Family, care of Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, to help with final expenses.
