Earl "Jay" Crofoot

Earl Jay Crofoot, 91, of Lubbock, passed from this life on Friday, September 14, 2018.  Jay was born in Cedar Point, Chase County, Kansas, in the heart of the Flint Hills on September 7, 1927 to E. C. and Helen Austin Crofoot.  He met the love of his life, Virginia “Jinny” Kieferle, during his school years at Chase County Community High School.  After graduation, Jay served in the U. S. Army for 18 months before returning to marry and start a family with Jinny.  He joined his father and brother, Girdner, in the family cattle and farming business, Crofoot Cattle Co.  Jay and Jinny lived in Elmdale, Strong City and Cottonwood Falls, Kansas before moving their family to Arizona.  After four years of exploring other business ventures in real estate and insurance, the family moved back to Cottonwood Falls and Jay returned to the family business. In 1971 they moved to Lubbock where Jay joined his father and his son, Terry, in business at Lubbock Feed Lots.

Jay is survived by his wife, Jinny; children Terry Crofoot (Kelly), Cheryl Pinkston (Tom), Nancy Foster, and Peggy Aguilar (Justino); grandchildren Shari Pinkston Williams (Marlon), Tom Pinkston (Ronda), Casey Crofoot Ringo (John), Collin Foster (Cassie), Lauren Foster, Kiefer Aguilar (Tiffany), Clay Crofoot (Katie), Adriana Aguilar; and great grandchildren Libby Williams, Johnny Ringo, Joshua Ringo, Adalyn Foster, Elliot Foster, and  Clara Foster.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Girdner.

Jay was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and was deeply committed to his faith.  He and Jinny were patrons in the healthcare community as they established an Endowed Chair in Epilepsy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and provided funding for medical equipment at Covenant Medical Center, most notably in the epilepsy monitoring unit.

They also supported various athletics programs and educational scholarships at both Texas Tech and Kansas State University.  As someone who was enthusiastic about helping others and developing friendships, Jay sponsored a golf tournament which was named the “Crofoot Cup.”   For 15 years the Crofoot Cup has raised funds for the golf programs of both universities and seeks to build camaraderie between the institutions.  He served on the TTU Athletic Advisory Council, helped establish the Knight Scholarship Foundation, and was an avid attendee at many athletic events.  Jay served as past president and director of the Flint Hills Rodeo Association, and his other memberships included the Kansas Livestock Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and Rancheros Visitadores.  Besides attending athletic events, he enjoyed golfing, fishing and, most of all, family time.

A celebration of Jay’s life will be held on Saturday, October 6 at 2 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Elliott Powell officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following organizations: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3321 33rd St., Lubbock, 79410; Crofoot Endowment for Epilepsy, Texas Tech Foundation, Box 41081, Attn:  Cyndy Morris, Lubbock, 79409; Great Plains Diabetes, 834 N. Socora, Suite 4, Wichita, KS 67212; Accolade Hospice Foundation, 5201 Indiana Ave., Suite 101S, Lubbock, 79413; Covenant Health Foundation, Crofoot Endowment for Epilepsy, 3623 22nd Place, Lubbock, 79410.

Graveside service will be 11:00 am Saturday, July 13, 2019, at Prairie Grove Cemetery, Cottonwood Falls. 

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