James "Jay" Peeples

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Jay Peeples, 58 of Dalhart, Texas, on December 18, 2024. Jay was a beloved member of the Dalhart community, known for his kindness, dedication, and unwavering spirit. Jay’s life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 27, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with Father John Lawrence as celebrant. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the church. Jay will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery, where he will find eternal peace surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Jay’s Final Farewell arrangements are left in the hands of the staff of Dalhart Funeral Home and Cremations Services.

Jay was born in Dalhart, TX on January 24, 1966 to David and Barbara Peeples. Jay was raised in Dalhart and graduated from Dalhart High School in the Class of 1984. Jay attended Texas Tech University, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, and received a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy/Plant & Soil Science. After graduation, he worked in Arizona and then moved back to Dalhart to run the family business, Peeples Irrigation. Jay later sold the irrigation business and became an entrepreneur, moving into the self-storage business and commercial real estate. Jay loved his hometown of Dalhart and he served the community in countless ways. 

Jay was a strong pillar of the Dalhart community and left an unmatched legacy of generosity and kindness. He held leadership roles and was actively involved in many community organizations. Among those were Knights of Columbus Council #2776, Rahll Activity Center, Dalhart Education Foundation, Dalhart Economic Development Corp., Texas Farm Bureau, Dalhart Rotary Club, Texas Tech Alumni XIT Chapter, Dalhart Country Club Board of Directors, and Dalhart Cruzers. Jay was especially proud of the Twilight Cancer Fund he co-founded in 2012 with his wife Michelle to support community members fighting cancer and to ease the financial burden involved with a cancer diagnosis. He was an active member of St. Anthony’s Parish.

Jay had a lifelong love of cars and riding motorcycles, a passion passed down to him from his father. If something required oil, you can bet Jay was either buying it, working on it or thinking about it. His favorite car was his high school 1978 Pontiac TransAm, which he fully restored to pristine condition. It is a showstopper, to say the least! Jay never did anything halfway. Jay loved enduro motorcycle races and trips with his riding friends along the continental divide and wherever two wheels would take them.

With an unmatched work ethic, Jay was all in on anything he set his mind to. If he was involved, it was going to be done right, and always with integrity and class. Jay was the definition of one who lived life to its fullest. He loved the mountains - camping, fishing and skiing trips – and golf.

Jay loved his family beyond measure and was a friend to anyone that was fortunate enough to come in his path, Jay knew not a stranger; always willing to help someone in need. The stories of Jay’s acts of generosity and kindness are immense, as was his love and devotion to his family and many friends.

Jay is survived by his wife Natalie and her children Alden and Audrey Hobbs; his daughters, Kelsey Peeples Danner of Amarillo (David) and Tatum Isbell (Dallas) of Dalhart; granddaughters Daisy Michelle Danner and Florence Jae Isbell; sister Pam Steel (Richard) of Big Spring; brother in law Troy Blackwell of Amarillo; sister in law Alexa Hardin (Chris) of Colorado Springs; mother and father in law Sandra and Barry Blackwell of Amarillo; mother and father in law Wayne and Linda Palla of Clovis; brother in law Eric Palla (Megan) of Clovis; sisters in law Emily Fly (Kirk) of Dalhart and Madeline Hettinga (Joel) of Muleshoe; numerous nieces and nephews and great aunt and uncle, Gene and Louise Rahll of Dalhart.

Jay was preceded in death by his wife, Michelle, and his mother and father Barbara and David.

The family suggests a memorial donation to honor Jay’s life and passion for helping his beloved hometown of Dalhart.

Twilight Cancer Fund

PO Box 471, Dalhart, TX 79022

 Dalhart Cruzers Scholarship Fund

PO BOX 1792, Dalhart, TX 79022

Texas Tech Alumni Association – XIT Scholarship

TTAA-XIT Chapter

PO Box 1923 , Dalhart, TX 79022

Dalhart Rotary Club

PO Box 448, Dalhart, TX 79022

Rahll Activity Center

802 Maple Ave, Dalhart, TX 79022

St. Anthony’s Catholic School

PO Box 1329, Dalhart, TX 79022

St. Anthony’s of Padua Catholic Church

PO Box 1029, Dalhart, TX 79022