BREINHOLT, Jay L.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 05./12/2015 Jay L. Breinholt, 48, died Tuesday morning, May 5, 2015, at Mercy Gilbert Hospital in Gilbert, following a sudden illness. He was born Gerald Lee Breinholt Jr. Friday, March 3, 1967, to the late Gerald Lee “Jerry” Sr. and Carol Ann (Jacobson) Breinholt. Following his high school graduation, Jay served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Spokane, Wash., Mission from 1986-88. Shortly after completing his mission, he married the apple of his eye, Traci Lee Newburn, July 22, 1988, in Tempe. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa Temple. Jay was a devoted and loving husband and a great father to his family. For the past 25 years, Jay owned and operated his own business, which specialized in fire suppression systems. While in high school, tragedy struck the Breinholt family when Jay’s parents died in a plane crash in Chandler. In the years that have since passed, Jay and his brothers and sisters became as close as any siblings ever could be. Jay was a natural born leader and he looked after the needs of his brothers and sisters as a true patriarch. Jay is survived by his wife, Traci Lee Breinholt of Queen Creek; three children: Chelsea (Allen) Erickson of Mesa, Taylor Breinholt of Queen Creek, Colton Breinholt of Queen Creek; six siblings: Lisa Breinholt of Haleiwa, Hawaii, Garin (Lisa) Breinholt of Gilbert, Heidi (Kit) Gallini of Mansfield, Texas, Allison (Brian) Trotter of Gilbert, Todd (Marianne) Breinholt of Gilbert, Jason (Deborah) Breinholt of Gilbert; mother and father-in-law, Mike and Cindy Newburn of Phoenix; brother-in-law Scott Newburn of Mesa; aunt and uncle, Marilyn and Carl Jacobson of Tempe, who took on the role of parenting when called upon; and Jay is also survived by 27 nieces and nephews. Funeral service were held May 9 at the Desert Wells Ward Chapel (Chandler Heights Building) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 20415 E. Chandler Heights Road in Queen Creek. The concluding service and interment took place at San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit website www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.