Jay Arthur Riedel

Mr. Jay Riedel, SFC (Retired, US Army), age 76, left his earthly journey on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, to be with his Lord and Savior. Born in Toledo, OH to the late Carolyn & Charles Riedel, he entered his family with a twin brother, Jon, and older sister, Jayne.

At age 10, his family moved to Falls Church, VA for his dad’s work with United Airlines in Washington D.C. Jay joined Dunn-Loring Fire Dept. at age 16. After high school graduation, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Army. Between two tours in Vietnam, Jay and Dianne became engaged and married after his second tour. They began life together in Colorado Springs, while he was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO. They were married over 55 ½ years.

After the Army, he joined the National Guard and served for 24 years. He was sent to Egypt to train troops and retired third in command in his battalion. Meanwhile, Jay worked at Wake Forest University for 39 years, retiring in 2016. He joked that after 39 graduations at WFU, there is still no diploma! Jay also served as a volunteer fireman with Advance, South Fork, and Clemmons Fire Departments. Jay had a servant’s heart. He was a Boy Scout, volunteer fireman 45 years, military career 27 years, Jonestown Civic Club 32 years, and a First Responder at WFU.

He served churches he joined as Deacon, Trustee, Asst. Treasurer, and Head Usher. He loved his pastors and church families. Jay never missed his girls’ softball games, dance recitals, or ROTC events. His grandchildren kept him happy and involved in many years of sports, dance, chorus, and band recitals. He loved cooking barbecues for his fire depts., churches, and civic club. He loved cooking at church for the men’s monthly breakfast meeting. Dianne joked he was not a southerner but got here as fast as he could!

He took his family camping across the country from NC to CA and many other states. He wanted them to see the USA. He loved his nightly ice cream and Oreos. As dementia arrived, then progressed, his family and friends were thankful to have the memories of his servant’s heart poured out to those who knew him. We met him “where he was” each day-and will next see him in Heaven. A faithful servant of God; a good man.

Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife, Dianne, and daughters Decca Slaughter (William), and Wendy Bright; his grandchildren Colton, Nicholas, Diana, and Austin. Surviving are his sister, Jayne Winters, and brother, Jon (Susan), brothers-in-law, Jerry Cranfill (Beverly), Scott Cranfill, and sister-in-law Vicky Cranfill. Also surviving are several cousins, nieces, and nephews loved across the country.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Grace Baptist Church on Peters Creek Parkway. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. A burial will be held following the service at Westlawn Gardens of Memory with full military honors provided by the National Guard and VFW Post 9010.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family.