Jay Allen Tuft

Jay Allen Tuft, 52, of Angel Fire went to be with the Lord on July 03, 2006, the result of a one car accident. Born September 24, 1953 in San Bernardino, California to Robert and Marjorie Tuft, Jay was a graduate of Northwest Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He served in the U.S. Forest Service in California before moving to New Mexico in the early 1980's. He loved to ski and worked as an instructor at Red River Ski Area during winter months while building log homes in the summer, eventually founding Tuft Construction Company after moving to Angel Fire. He was an avid golfer. He married Judy Mellas, the love of his life in 1989. The couple soon became vital members of their churches Faith Mountain Fellowship Church of Red River and later Angel Fire Four Square Church. They overcame physical challenges with kidney failures, diabetes and several organ transplants and served the Lord in Africa, in teaching ministries and in nursing home assistance. He is survived by his wife Judy Tuft of Angel Fire, a son Beau Tuft of San Marcos, Texas, parents Robert and Marjorie Tuft of Coquille, Oregon, brother and sister-in-law Richard and Heather Tuft and brother Dale Tuft of Auburn, California, stepson and daughter-in-law Homer and Cara Mellas, granddaughter Taylor Mellas, father and mother-in-law John and Clara Schmidt, sister-in-law Sherrie Lacey and nephew Phillip Saxon. Memorial Services were held on July 06, 2006 at Faith Mountain Fellowship Church, 100 So. Copper King Trail, Red River, N.M. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the National Diabetes Association.