Jay F. Sheldon, age 68, of Alexandria, died on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Nelson Care Center by Vivie in Alexandria.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Pastor Doug Dent officiating. Interment will take place at St. Loretto Catholic Cemetery, Elbow Lake.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service.

Jay Frank was born on December 21, 1956, to Perrie and Lucille (Perkins) Sheldon in Fergus Falls. He was baptized and confirmed at the Federated Church in Fergus Falls. Jay attended Fergus Falls Public Schools, graduating in 1975. After high school, he began working as a meat cutter at the State Hospital in Fergus Falls. Jay was united in marriage to Tamera “Tammy” Saxton on September 3, 1983, at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Elbow Lake. The couple later moved to the Twin Cities, where over the years Jay worked as a restaurant manager, driver’s training instructor and manager, and at Pearson’s Candy Company. He also pursued entrepreneurship by starting Jay’s Parrot Place. Jay retired in 2002, due to health reasons and was grateful to spend those years helping raise his children and grandchildren. In early 2004, he received a heart transplant that transformed his life and gifted him and his family an additional 21 years together. Jay and Tammy eventually moved back to Elbow Lake to help care for aging parents. He transitioned to assisted living in 2025, where he resided for the remainder of his life. Jay enjoyed cars, coins, guns, watching Westerns, and listening to loud Rock and Roll music. Most of all, he cherished time spent with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother Rev. M. Milo Sheldon.

Jay is survived by his wife of 42 years, Tammy; daughter Abbie (Benjamin) Kiser of Cottage Grove; two sons, Jayson Sheldon of Porter and Max (Megan) Sheldon of Fergus Falls; six grandchildren, Riley Rasmussen, Makenna Rasmussen, Gracie Kiser, Mason Kiser, Delilah Sheldon, and Lincoln Sheldon; two brothers, Loren Sheldon of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Keith (Mary Anne) Sheldon of Divide, Colorado; sister Judy Sheldon of Woodbury; sister-in-law Kathryn Sheldon of Yankton, South Dakota; along with several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Jay’s family and friends.