Jeremy Daniel “Jay” McMullen, 51, of Philomath, Oregon, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 17, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born February 27, 1974, in Rochester, New York, and raised in Honeoye Falls, Jay lived a life devoted to service, faith, family, and community. He married the love of his life, Tara, in Adana, Turkey, on September 10, 1997. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and purpose, raising three children who were his proudest accomplishments.
Jay served 26 years in the United States Air Force, beginning his career as an enlisted airman in precision measurement before rising to the rank of Major — an uncommon achievement that speaks to his grit, humility, and brilliance. He served in vital roles in missile and space operations, and later as an ROTC instructor at Oregon State University, where he mentored and trained more than 900 future officers.
His students and colleagues will remember him not only as a leader, but as a teacher who led with patience, humor, and integrity. After retiring in 2018, Jay continued his career at Georgia-Pacific in Toledo, Oregon, and remained active in his community as President of his neighborhood HOA and a volunteer for the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo.
While his professional accomplishments were many, Jay’s heart was always with his family. He beamed with pride as he watched Jared, Jordyn, and Jadyn pursue their education and life journeys, celebrating graduations, weddings, and milestones with joy and unwavering support. He embraced his children’s spouses and friends as his own, extending his love and guidance to anyone who needed it.
Jay was highly intelligent and endlessly curious, earning multiple advanced degrees and certifications even while balancing the demands of military service and family life. Yet for all his achievements, he was humble, approachable, and — true to his goofy side — always ready with a smart remark, a laugh, or a “Top Gun” reference. He found joy in woodworking, reading, science fiction and action movies, and music, and was never too busy to make memories with those he loved.
A man of faith, Jay was a practicing Catholic who lived his values daily by putting others before himself. He was a leader not just in title, but in the way he carried himself — with compassion, empathy, and integrity.
Jay is survived by his beloved wife, Tara; their children, Jared (and husband Carlo), Jordyn (and husband Noah), and Jadyn; his sister, Mary Cherub Yatteau McMullen; and countless friends who became family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Mary Cherub McMullen.
Jay’s legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the lives he touched, and the love he shared. He was, in every sense, the best dad, husband, brother, mentor, and friend.
The public is invited to a celebration of life event for Jay at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo grounds (502 S. 13th St.). Military honors are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.