James Albert "Jay" Spare, Jr.

James Albert "Jay" Spare, Jr., 82, of Hazle Twp, passed away Sunday morning, November 2, 2025, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton following a two-month illness.

Born in Hazleton, March 27, 1943, he was the son of the late James Albert and Mary Evans (Rowlands) Spare, Sr. and spent the past 20 years in Hazle Township.

Jay was a graduate of MMI Preparatory School class of 1960. He was a US Army veteran during the Vietnam Conflict, having served from 1964 to 1966. His decorations included the Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and an Expert Rifle Badge with Bar. Jay was employed as a telecommunications technician for over 37 years with Verizon (formerly Bell Atlantic). He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hazleton. He was also a member of the Memory Valley Rod & Gun Club, Heights Rod & Gun Club, American Legion Post #76, VFW Post #8161, the Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, the US Army 39th Engineer Battalion Alumni Assoc, and the Hazle Azalea Fellowship Masonic Lodge #327. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, woodworker, and enjoyed spaghetti westerns, the Duke, and collecting model trains.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his sister, Mary Lou Eveland.

Surviving are his devoted wife, the former Joanne Jean Pekala to whom he was married on July 12, 1969; four sons, Jay Albert Spare and spouse Theresa and their children Erin and Joshua; Scott Allen Spare and spouse Cheryl and their children Darren, Lauren, and Tommy; Jeffrey James Spare and his children Bryanna and Justin; and Robert Anthony Spare and spouse Heberto.

His funeral will be held with a Memorial Service on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 AM from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East), 669 W. Butler Dr, Drums. Interment will take place privately at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 9 AM until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to DAV - Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or online at dav.org. Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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