Jennings “Jay” Bryan Labrum
On October 21st our world came crashing down. A loving husband, doting father, proud grandfather, loyal brother, and friend to all passed away peacefully after a brave battle with cancer with his daughter Sherry by his side. He was 82 years old.
Jay was born on November 15th 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah to James Ira Labrum and Margaret Elizabeth Morse. As a child he loved to run around the hills of Sandy, UT with his brother Jimmy (aka Grimes). In their early teens they would go up Little Cottonwood Canyon camping for a week at a time. Their adventures together continued through the years fishing and camping at various lakes.
In 1956 at the young age of 17 he married a beautiful 16 year girl named Sandy Robinson after only knowing her for 4 weeks, in Yuma, AZ. He always said she proposed to him! They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
In 1959 they welcomed their daughter Sherry. It was another 7 years before daughter Kristine joined their family. Never having any sons of his own, thanks to his two daughters, he gained 5 sons-in-law whom he loved dearly. We all kind of got kicked to the curb when his three grandkids, Jaycee (his namesake), Steven, and Shelly came along. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them.
Our dad was a jack of all trades and could fix anything. He worked hard to support his family sometimes working two jobs at various places. At one time he owned his own gas station and auto body shop, prior to being hired by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a job he dreamed of as a young boy. He was a dedicated police officer to his community and loved serving the people. The most important thing to him was keeping everyone safe, especially the children. This is why he started the Safe Passage program in Cottonwood Heights, UT. He worked with parents to make sure children walking to and from school would be safe. He served in many different divisions; Traffic, Armed Robbery, SWAT, Undercover Vice squad and Arson. He retired as a Lieutenant in Community Policing after 30 years of service, having never called in sick for a single day. He received the Deputy of the Year twice, and too many awards to mention. We never tired of hearing his police stories of catching the bad guys with his partner Dick Judd.
His hobbies included spending time with his family, camping and fishing at Lake Powell, maintaining his beloved cabin in Holladay, helping his daughter with her restaurant, and Dad was rarely seen without his camera at the ready. He was known for keeping his yard and cars in immaculate condition.
Our father did not have a selfish bone in his body. It didn’t matter who it was that needed help, whether it be family, friends, or strangers; he was there to lend a hand. We will miss his smile, sense of humor, hugs, talks, endless stories and dedication to his family. He was not just our hero but everybody’s hero.
Jay is survived by wife Sandy, daughters Sherry (Rick aka The Rickster) Lewis and Kristine (Ed aka Mr. Ed) Primosic, grandchildren Jaycee, Steven, Shelly, ex son-in-law Bob Cappaert, three sisters, two brothers, and many extended family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, four sisters, one brother and loving mother-in-law Grace (aka mom). The family would like to thank Dr. Mark A. Lewis, Dr. Grant Hunter, Dr. Roy Gandolfi, nurse Tina Ouzounian and the wonderful hospice team, Paula Sousa CNA, his sister Erma Simpson (aka WeeWee), and the 24-hour care from his daughter Sherry for their loving and devoted care of our husband and father.
“Until we meet again Dear Dad”
A Celebration of life will be on Monday, November 1, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 12:00 pm with a viewing one hour prior beginning at 11:00 am at Starks Funeral Parlor. Interment will be at Memorial Holladay Cemetery immediately following funeral services located at 4900 South Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah.