John W. "Jay" DeHaven

John W. "Jay" DeHaven, October 1, 1939–October 14, 2018, was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Charles Sylvester and Margaret Walker DeHaven. He was a Sunday child. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kent; survived by his wife, Ashley Alexander DeHaven; daughter, Beren (Holland) Gould; sons, Drew, Jeffrey and Brad; brother, Denny (Martha) DeHaven; sister-in-law, Charlotte DeHaven; nephew, Ben DeHaven, and seven grandchildren. Jay was raised in Hoisington, Kansas graduating from Hoisington High School in 1957. Under the direction of Mr. Ebbie Dicks, his high school band leader, he became an accomplished saxophone and clarinet musician. He later played in a studio band with Henry Mancini for the Peter Gunn television show introduction. After high school, Jay and his young family moved to the Bay Area. Being raised in his family's butcher shop, he became a journeyman butcher but quit shortly thereafter due to the ‘laws' of the union. He also worked as a Fuller Brush Man. He then moved his family to Southern California and went to work for Jay Chamberlain Automotive in North Hollywood. This is where he met Steve McQueen through a mutual friend in the movie industry. Jay began racing cars with McQueen in the Los Angeles River Bottom. This eventually got him fired, as he loved to "test drive" the cars "too well". With his experience and car buddies, he got a part in the movie "On the Beach" as a racecar driver. An old friend, actor and racer gave Jay an opportunity in the housing industry, which became a lifelong gift. In the early sixties, Jay moved to Wichita, Kansas, continued his interest in the car business and opened his own dealership. He became one of the largest dealers of Ford Mustangs. His bank was seized, so he closed shop and left for New Orleans where he trained in securities. Now in his mid-twenties, he was young and hungry to learn. He left to attend Culinary Arts School in Brussels, Belgium. It was a one-year program, but having "too much fun", he ran out of money in six months time. To get back to the United States, he worked as a cook on a freighter with a seven-man crew and captain. It took him a year to step foot back on American soil. In 1967, Jay moved to Little Rock. He loved Little Rock and all of his new friends in Holcomb Heights who would remain lifelong friends. During this time, he, his brother Kent and friend, Kris Zumbrunn, started an office coffee service after acquiring Tom's Coffee. He worked for Robert B. Anderson and Company in New York for about 10 years, where he represented PanAm and their worldwide liquidation. He became friends with PanAm's founder, Juan Tripp. Jay traveled most of Central and South America, as well as many islands during this time. He loved living in New York and his time with Mr. Anderson learning life lessons one can gain only by experience. Jay returned to Little Rock and worked in the securities business, during this time he acquired real estate in Angel Fire, New Mexico. In 1987, Jay and partner, Mike Todd, began putting together a deal to purchase all of the Maumelle assets held by Worthen Bank. The 1988 closing on the transaction marked the beginning of a new Maumelle. Jay loved watching the development proceed according to his vision and planning. In 1992, Jay was indicted on 32 counts of mishandling the improvement district funds for the development of Dogwood. In August 1994, he was acquitted of each and every count. By 1999, he had developed and sold more than 3500 lots. After Maumelle, Jay continued in real estate and oil and gas, two of his life long endeavors. Jay was an avid Razorback fan and supporter. He thought of himself as a "pickle maker" extraordinaire! You were close to his heart if you received one of his jars! Everyone that knew Jay loved being invited to one of his many gatherings. He would always have delicious meals that he would spend many hours preparing. It was always a "martinis and swapping war stories" kind of celebration. You always knew where you stood with Jay. Whether you liked what he had to say or not, there was always a life lesson that he wanted to share to make you be better; always enjoying giving more than receiving. Graveside services will be held Friday, Oct.19th at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas with a Celebration of Life following at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home at 1 p.m. with a reception immediately following the service. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.