Jay Jeffery McKeel, age 53, of Monroe, Iowa, formerly of Dothan, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly at his home on September 16, 2026.

He was born on October 10, 1972 in Sharon, Pennsylvania to Jeffery Earl McKeel and Shirley Ann LaGrange McKeel.

Growing up, Jay definitely gave meaning to the phrase "middle child syndrome." As a teenager, trouble seemed to follow him and the fact that his father was an Army Military Policeman did not matter. Jay just saw it as an opportunity to say "challenge accepted."  Being an Army Brat, Jay moved from Pennsylvania to Georgia then lived overseas from 1981 until 1991 when he graduated high school from Augsburg American High School in Augsburg, Germany. He was a member of the soccer and football teams and involved in the ROTC program. His life turned around the morning after graduation when he left for the Navy, serving 4 years in Naples, Italy then settling down in Dothan, Alabama.

After leaving the Navy, Jay attended and graduated from George C. Wallace State Community College in Dothan, Alabama. In November of 2006, he was pleased to announce a third graduation which would be from the Police Academy in Anniston, Alabama leading him to a career with law enforcement in Houston County, Alabama. He proudly served as a Deputy Sheriff until September 2020 when a double stroke caused him to be honored with early retirement. Before his death, Jay was satisfied with the recovery he had made over the past 6 years after his stroke, even to the point of being elated that he could mow his own grass again after hardly being able to use his left side at all.

Jay is survived by his fiancée Shelly McConnell, son Chase McKeel, bonus son's Mathias, Joshua and Samuel McConnell and bonus daughter RaeAnne McConnell (Kris). Parents Jeffery and Shirley McKeel, brother Matt McKeel (Frances), sister Jennifer Waldrop (Jason). Nephews and nieces DJ Cisneros, Anthony McKeel (Pablo), Andrea Araiza (Mark), Sierra Green, Eian McKeel, Logan McKeel and great niece Auslynn Kate Baker with a host of dearly loved aunts, uncles and cousins spread across the United States. Jay was preceded in death by wife Sherry Tice McKeel, Uncles Mickey McKeel and John Grace, Aunts April McKeel and Peggy Grace and grandparents Erika LaGrange, Harold LaGrange, Ruth McKeel and Earl McKeel.

Although Jay was quiet and reserved, he was easy to amuse and loved to laugh, going to the beach and supporting the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jay was loved and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. In accordance with his parents wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal funeral or memorial service will be held. Instead, the entire family asks that you remember Jay in your own quiet way.