Jay Carl Crowell, age 74 of Seguin, formerly of Luling, passed away on October 3, 2026. Jay was born on January 20, 1952, in Luling, Texas to Ople Liddie (Colwell) and Marion Holmes Crowell.
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, gifted athlete, successful businessman, community servant, and loyal friend, Jay lived his life with determination, strength, and a personality that was unmistakably his own.
From an early age, Jay had an exceptional talent for football. His ability on the field earned him multiple opportunities to play college football, with offers from programs including Notre Dame, the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, and West Point, among others. Ultimately, Jay chose the University of Houston, where he proudly played left guard for the Houston Cougars and had the opportunity to play in the Bluebonnet Bowl.
But one of the most important moments of Jay’s life happened long before college football.
While still in high school, Jay was working at a gas station when he met a young woman named Joyce. From that day forward, Jay loved Joyce. The two married in 1972, beginning a life together that would span more than four decades. After college, Jay and Joyce moved to Seguin, where they began their family and welcomed two daughters, Dana and Kristen.
Throughout his career, Jay worked for several banks and savings and loans and was also a highly successful real estate agent. He was intelligent, driven, and very good at what he did. While working at First National Bank in Luling, Jay started the first discount brokerage in the San Antonio District.
Of all his professional and community accomplishments, one held a particularly special place in his heart. Jay took the liquid assets of McNeil Cemetery and invested them with the goal of securing its future. Because of his work and foresight, the cemetery became semi-perpetual—an accomplishment of which he remained extremely proud.
Jay also believed strongly in giving back to the communities he called home. Over the years, he served as President and Vice President of the Luling Chamber of Commerce and served with the Luling Watermelon Thump Association, McNeil Cemetery Board, Luling Economic Foundation, Luling Golf Association, Luling Volunteer Fire Department, and Seguin Volunteer Fire Department. He also competed on the Pumper Race Team for the Seguin Fire Department. Jay was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Jay was tough. He was straightforward. You never had to wonder what he was thinking because, more often than not, he was going to tell you. He could be hard, and every now and then his honesty might offend someone. But Jay was Jay, and the people who knew him understood that. He was fiercely loyal, had many lifelong friends, and lived life on his own terms.
Jay loved playing golf with his golf buddies, fishing, football, good music, and especially Elvis Presley. He was a great dancer, too, but his favorite dance partner was always Joyce.
Family was an important part of Jay’s life. Like many families, not every relationship or every season was simple, but the love was still there. He loved his daughters, Dana and Kristen, and his grandchildren and great-grandchild each held a place in his heart.
Jay was a fighter throughout his life, and he remained one until the very end. He faced cancer with the same toughness and determination with which he faced everything else. After a long and difficult battle, Jay lost his life to cancer, leaving behind the legacy of a life fully lived and people who loved him deeply.
He will be remembered for his strength, his stubbornness, his loyalty, his accomplishments, his stories, his love of football and golf, his friendships, and the love he carried for Joyce throughout his life.
Jay Carl Crowell was one of a kind. And to those who knew and loved him, there will simply never be another Jay.
Jay is preceded in death by his wife Joyce, and his parents.
Survivors include his daughters, Dana McNabb and husband Matt, and Kristen Johnson; grandchildren, Kendall Kabela and husband Brittan, Carson McNabb, and Kash McNabb; great-grandchild, Kaison Kabela; sister Nancy Kay Tiller and husband Leo; brother-in-law, Kenneth Sekula and wife Ibbie; numerous other loving family members and many friends.
Visitation will begin on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 500 E. Travis St., Luling, TX, 78648, followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Doug Hendricks, Delton Hendricks, Kenneth Sekula, Kenny Williams, Ronnie Via, Bubba Brousard, Tony Shaker, David Heine, Jim Kramer, and Gary Boyd.
Private interment will be held at a later date in the McNeil Cemetery in McNeil, Texas.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Cardinal Booster Club, P. O. Box 725, Shiner, Texas, 77984.
You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.