James Burke Plummer III was born in 1953, the first of three sons born to James Jr. and Martha Plummer. Jay was dedicated to his family and friends, but also enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and competitive shooting sports. He found peace working in his woodshop creating decorative items fashioned from different types of wood. These unique items are all handcrafted with love that were given to his family, friends and acquaintances as gifts as to be cherished forever. Jay loved life and everyone around him.
Jay was surrounded by his loving wife Diane “Dicey” Plummer, his two children Jayme Sue and James Plummer IV and his two step children Jessica and Joshua Rambo. Additionally, there was no stronger bond anywhere than between Jay and his two brothers Mac and Ken. Jay was a lifelong resident of Bossier Parish. Jay graduated Parkway High School where he excelled in both academics and athletics (all-star in football and track & field). He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and followed in his father’s footsteps joining the Bossier City Police Department. He moved on to the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department becoming one of the most decorated agents in the history of the organization. While with the railroad Jay studied nights and earned his Masters’ Degree in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. He returned to City of Bossier employment accepting the position of Director of Human Resources, where he attained the prestigious distinction of PHR (Professional in Human Resources).
Most of us need a personal disaster or tragic event in our life before we recognize a disaster which motivates us to do something about it. Many causes have been championed by someone who has suffered some loss as a result of a particular tragedy related to a disease, drug abuse or some other unfortunate circumstance; but Jay Plummer spent his entire life improving the quality of life for nearly everyone he ever knew or simply met. He never required some significant event to affect him personally before he decided to get involved and help someone or some cause. He lived his life moving towards evil and despair with his hand extended out to whoever needs help, whether it was simply a kind word or a complete rescue.
If you were blessed enough to have met Jay, it probably changed your life; somewhere along the way he helped you, or you were comforted by the knowledge that his help was only a call away. It was never a question of whether or not he was coming; you knew he was on his way. Jay was on everyone’s list of special people you expect to have in your life for the rest of your life, he was our safety net.
Jay didn’t just help those he knows. He reached out to many others through his forty three year commitment to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, an organization dedicated to providing care for children with challenging medical conditions regardless of the patient’s ability to pay for such care. For Jay, it was always about family and friends, and most importantly the children, the next generations to come, preparing them for the journey ahead. He believed passionately in continuing education, hence this Scholarship.
In the spring of 2015 Jay was diagnosed with the deadly relentless disease known as ALS(Lou Gehrig’s Disease). This disease attacked him fast and hard yet Jay continued to smile through his pain. It was his way of putting all of us first over himself. He was fighting that monster, enduring not only the physical pain but the emotional pain associated with one disappointing diagnosis after another. He wanted to be there for his wife and children. The disease won the battle, but through this Scholarship and the countless memories many of us hold in our hearts, Jay will get the victory.
Jay Plummer’s unselfishness, his incredibly strong sense of right and wrong, his loyalty to family and friends and his genuine belief in continued education will live forever.
