Jay Bullock (Courtesy)

Jay Carroll Bullock embarked upon his wide-open and adventurous life on May 6, 1960 as the son of Gerald and Brenda Bullock on an army base located in Wurzburg, Germany.  From there his family transferred to a new military assignment in Chicago, after living his first year as a dual citizen due to his German birth.

They moved around to different army bases, most of his early childhood years, until settling in Augusta in 1968. While living there, his dad left the family causing Jay many years of heartache. As an adult, God helped Jay to reconcile his relationship with his dad. During his preteen years, he shouldered the responsibilities of running the household and caring for his sisters, Beth and Jerri Lynn, while his mother worked to provide for their struggling family. His mother insisted that he attend church every Sunday, even if he had to hitch a ride with a neighbor.

The family relocated to Davisboro after his mother married Andy Isaac in 1974. The family was soon blessed with two more sisters, Mary Margaret and Andrea. Moving to the country was a pivotal moment in Jay’s life; there he found his love for cows and met his first Mennonite. Through these newly founded relationships, he attended the Pinecrest Mennonite Church with his sisters and aunts. He enjoyed spending time with his new dad on the farm, learning how to care for cows and hogs.

At age 17, he became the general manager of Avera Industrial in Wrens. There he met his bride of 43 years, Mary Powell. Together they ran a hardware store, hog-farmed, dairy-farmed, hauled cows, and began their beautiful family. His love for people and the community inspired him to pursue a lifetime career in the hardware business.  In 1991, he purchased his own store in Gibson and named it JMP Hardware in honor of his three children, Jeremy, Merita, and Preston.

Prompted by a dream in 1992, he opened Jay’s Hardware in Wrens.  As an entrepreneur, Jay launched multiple stores, started a greenhouse operation, sold real estate, and purchased a restaurant. He taught his children respect, a strong work ethic, and left a godly legacy for his grandchildren.

Jay joined the Pinecrest Mennonite Church January 25, 1981. He loved giving of his time, energy, and resources to help others. He spent many summers teaching Bible school in Saskatchewan, Canada. He was a friend to thousands and found great joy in mentoring many.

He suffered a brain aneurysm and due to complications on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, he joined Merita and Sawyer on the shores of Heaven.

Those left with aching hearts are his wife, Mary Bullock; son, Jeremy and Heidi Bullock of Pryor, Oklahoma; son and partner, Preston and Carol Bullock of Hartwell; son-in-law, Daniel Johnson; eight grandchildren, Makenzie, Titus, Kelby, Alexia, Dillan, Hudson, Liam, and Conrad; step-father, Andy Isaac of Mitchell; sisters, Beth and husband Charles Turner of Sandersville, Jerri Lynn Bullock of Eatonton, Mary Margaret and husband Scott Veal of Mitchell, and Andrea and husband Jim Ivie of Suwanee; father-in-law, Chester and wife Katy Powell; sister-in-law, Terre Powell; and brother-in-law, Ron Powell. There are family members and countless friends not listed here that also mourn his loss.

Preceding him in death is daughter, Merita, and her unborn child, Sawyer; his mother, Brenda Isaac; and father, Gerald Bullock.

James Funeral Home, Wrens, Ga., will be in charge. This notice is courtesy of Coile and Hall Funeral Directors in Hartwell.