Jay Holes

LIVESTREAM SERVICE FOR JAY HOLES

Jay Holes , affectionately known as “Coach Jay” to his many chess students, passed away on June 2, 2024. Jay was known for his generous spirit, infectious love for chess and passion for journalism.

Jay was born on August 30, 1969, to James and Karen (née Sundby) Holes in Moose Lake, Minnesota. He spent his early years in Greater Toronto, Canada, before settling in Bellevue, Washington, where he graduated from Bellevue High School.

Jay was the lead trombone player in his award-winning high school jazz band, soaring in his improvisations as the band competed across the state. He was inspired by jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Pat Metheny and Miles Davis. Jay also played trombone in the high school symphonic band, delivering one of the most unforgettable performances of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in the school’s history, complete with the climactic volley of cannon fire and a brass fanfare finale.

Multi-talented as he was, Jay also played varsity baseball in high school as a three-year letterman. He was known for his great foot speed and powerful (“cannon”) arm, setting the school record for the fastest time running from home plate around the bases and back to home.

While pursuing a degree in political science at St. Cloud State University, Jay played volleyball as a setter for the college team. He was also the assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Jay graduated with his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1996 and quickly entered journalism. He landed his first job as a reporter and news anchor in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This led to progressively larger media markets in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, and finally Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as a reporter and multimedia journalist for the last 20 years.

Jay was a well-respected journalist, known for his solid reporting practices, and beloved by many for his generous mentorship and friendship. He adopted the TV name “Jay Warren” to honor his grandfather, whose middle name was Warren. Jay often perked up the TV station with his wit, sense of humor and care for his friends and colleagues.

While journalism was his passion, chess was his calling. Jay served as a chess coach to many children at the Greater Cincinnati Chinese School (GCCS) and later founded Thunder Chess Academy, a chess club he poured his passion into. Jay was a United States Chess Federation (USCF)-certified Level II District Chess Coach. Dane Mattson, a USCF National Master, characterized Jay as, “a dedicated, engaging, and positive chess educator…with far-reaching positive impact beyond the 64 squares.”

In his free time, Jay was an avid snowboarder who relished the big slopes of Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, Canada. More locally, he loved riding at Perfect North, Indiana, with his daughter, Victoria.

Jay also enjoyed surfing along the beaches of Southern California and loved the open road. He never hesitated to get behind the wheel to take his family on long road trips to unlock the adventures along the way.

Jay was a fearless food adventurer along with his wife, Grace. He was often drawn to hole-in-the-wall places and felt right at home in the street food scene in Malaysia. Jay did not bat an eyelid when he reached for his first taste of the durian fruit. While the smell of the fruit is trepidatious for many, he not only conquered the encounter, he even proclaimed he liked it.

To the very end, Jay’s noble soul continued to make a difference. He was an organ donor, and his recovered cornea potentially bears the gift of sight to others.

Jay is survived by his wife Grace Yek of 16 years, daughter Victoria Holes, mother Karen Holes, brother Andrew (Leanne) Holes, nephews Wesley and Graysen, and niece Ellianna.

A memorial to celebrate Jay’s life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Mueller Funeral Home (6791 Tylersville Road, Mason OH 45040):

Visitation from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm with “Celebration of Life” Service beginning at 2:00 pm

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Jay’s life.

Light refreshments will be available in the lounge during the visitation.

See link below for a news article about Jay.

WCPO 9 reporter and photographer Jay Warren dies at 54