Jay grew up working for his dad at the dairy farm. Jay said he was a “pooper scooper.”

During high school, Jay was on the state championship 4H livestock judging team and traveled to Chicago for the international 4H judging contest in 1953. He was also an offensive tackle on the Austin High School football team.

After high school, he joined the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Upon leaving the Corps, he worked for Texas University power plant. In 1958, he joined the Army Reserves. He worked for Young & Pratt as an apprentice pipefitter. He represented UA Local 286 during his fourth and fifth year apprentice at the state pipefitting contest. After completing his apprenticeship, he was the first journeyman hired by Fox & Hearne Company, during which he was accredited into the specialty contractor supervisory management program’s initial class at Texas A&M. After graduating, he returned to work for Fox and Hearne until going into business for himself in 1968.

While in business, he was a member of the Association of General Contractors. He was an officer in the American Society of Heating Refrigeration Air Conditioning Engineers. He was the president of Mechanical Contractors Association of Austin and a member of the state and national MCA.

After several years in business, he decided to do something different and bought an automobile recycling facility. He returned back to mechanical contracting as a supervisor for various contractors. He reopened Harkins Company Air Conditioning and Heating in 1998 in Elgin. Other entrepreneurial ventures included an ostrich business, real estate investing, cattle ranching, Ark Cans and collector of “treasures.” He retired in 2003 and took up gun smithing, became an active member in the Elgin coffee group and Cattlemen for Cancer Research.

Jay and his wife, Kathryn (Kay) Simecek Harkins, of 65 years were high school sweethearts. In 1959, he married Kay. They created a life full of adventure and an active social life. Early in their marriage, they enjoyed water skiing, bowling and ping pong. It was not uncommon for them to have friends over to play tripoly or take a vacation or cruise to places like Las Vegas or Alaska. They loved to dance. There is no doubt they would be on the dance floor at events. Jay continued the Harkins Fourth of July picnics after his father retired.

He was most proud of his family. He and Kay raised four boys and a daughter, which grew into a family of 70. Sons include Mike (Susan) Harkins, Rick (Joann) Harkins, JD (Donna) Harkins, James (Pam) Harkins and daughter Melinda (Pat) Watson. Jay is grandpa to 30 and great grandpa to 30. His family was the center of his world. He and his family enjoyed playing card games, dominoes, going deer & dove hunting, fishing and supporting sporting events.

Jay was a giver with his time, talent and treasure. You could find him supporting fundraisers either at the church or for local organizations like the Cattlemen for Cancer and Relay for Life. He often said, “give and the Lord will provide.” You could find him at Sacred Heart Catholic church every Sunday, where in his younger years he was on the advisory council and served as an usher and member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Wayne Harkins and Tim (Kathy) Harkins; and son, Rick Harkins.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held Wednesday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home, with a visitation to follow from 6 to 8 p.m.

A celebration of Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, April 18, 10 a.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Elgin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating towards a pew in the new church at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 302 W 11th St., Elgin, Texas 78621 or any charity of your choice.

Special thanks for the nurses at Austin Heart Hospital.

Arrangements are Entrusted to Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home.