Joseph "Jay" Plumley, 82, passed away on November 25, 2023. Jay was born and raised in Lewisville, Arkansas. Jay married his wife Mary and along with his stepdaughter, moved to Alaska in 1964. He did a lot of carpenter work and later in the late 60's to early 70's he went to work flying for Bill Ellis. Jay spent several years flying people into the remote parts of Alaska to hunt and fish. He met a lot of great friends, the whole Ellis family for one and his friend Cleo and Thelma. Jay later went back to Anchorage and decided to become a commercial fisherman. He ran his boats out of Seward, there he met his two great buddies, Tom Scott, and Jerry Mesenhimer. Tom and Jay started their carpentry business there. Jerry did a lot of out-of-town jobs with them. The three loved to fish, so they started camping at Whiskey Gulch, Alaska, ruffing it in tents. Jerry had met a couple, Bill and Lisa Miller, who owned property on the Bluff. Jerry soon landed them a great camping spot future down the beach. They all got themselves trailers and it soon became a fishing camp. This was the place to come visit and go catch halibut and salmon. Many people came and camped throughout the years. It was always so much fun and so many stories came out of that camp, especially the big fish stories. Jay later retired and he and Mary had had enough of Alaska's long cold winters, so they packed up and moved back to arkansas landing in Taylor, Arkansas on Lake Erling. Jay got his home going and set up. He's soon run into his old high school buddy, Henry Fletcher. Henry and his wife, Diane, had a cabin next door. Jay met a lot of good friends throughout the years at the lake. A lot of catfishing was done there. Jay gave up fishing and just took life easy, sitting outside "BS'ing" with his friends. In 2008 jay got word that his buddy Tom Scott lost his life to cancer, then two years later Jay lost his loving wife Mary in 2010., that was a hard year for Jay. Another good friend from Alaska had moved to Northern arkansas, Bill Holt. He would come and visit Jay a lot. I'm sure they talked a lot about Alaska. Later, his friend, Jerry's wife came down to help Jay out. In the last four years, she had to move out and help Jay more, it was much easier than her living in another city. Jay had so many friends and a lot of good days were had at his home. His friend, Rodney Grey's wife Evelyn was the queen catfish woman, she kept people supplied with the cats. Along with friend Eddie Hensley, Jay's stepsister, Tina Loona took care of the inside of the home and flowers, and Rodney became Jay's right hand man. Anything needing done, Rodney was there for Jay, he couldn't do anymore hard work.
Jay leaves behind family and many, many friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary; friends, Tom Scott, Jerry Mesenhimer, Ed Lemn, and Henry Flutcher; cousin, Jimmy Clark.
Jay leaves behind his nephew, Little Jay Knapp and wife Andrea, Clarance Clark; good friend and care giver Lorna Mesenhimer; stepdaughter, Vickie Harvey of New Mexico; friend, Bill Holt of Arkansas, Rodney and Evelyn Grey, Shirley Lem of Arkansas; cousin, Kathy and husband, Ricky Lee, Diana Fletcher; step sister, Tina; friend, Eddie Hensley; and Cleo Schrank-Kline, a very special friend from Alaska; and all the Ellis family.
Sorry if I missed anyone which I'm sure I did. Jay will be truly missed. He was a good friend. We love you, dear friend. RIP

In lieu of flowers you can make donations to Springhill Animal Clinic or one of your choosing.
There will be no services, Jay will be put to rest beside his wife Mary.
Later there will be a summer get together in Jay's honor.

Arrangements by A O Smith Funeral Home, Stamps, Arkansas.