Family Login:

Reno A. "Jay" Reda, Jr.

Reno A. "Jay" Reda, Jr.

  • April 3, 1959 - January 16, 2012
  • Chardon Township, Ohio
  • The family requests donations to the Geauga County Agricultural Society, c/o Natural Resources Area, P.O. Box 402, Burton, OH 44021, so his work can continue.
Share This Obituary
Arrangements made by

Burr Funeral Home

116 South Street
P.O. Box 165
Chardon, OH 44024
View Map - Get Directions→

Profile of Burr Funeral Home→

Tel. (440) 285-2182
Fax. (440) 285-5427
info@burrservice.com

Send Flowers
flowers logo

Order flowers


Memories & Candles

“I am so sorry for your loss he will be missed by so many. I worked with him briefly over my 17 years but you know from brief encounters with Jay...Read More » ”
1 of 48 | Posted by: Trent Weaver - Germantown, OH

“Michelle, I had a short trail run this morning in Mill Creek Park in 6" of fresh snow. My ipod battery was not charged so I headed out without any...Read More » ”
2 of 48 | Posted by: Bruce Winters - Youngstowm, OH

“"Teach your kid to hunt and you'll never hunt for your kid." Words I heard on the show and lived by. My son is twenty years old and we've been...Read More » ”
3 of 48 | Posted by: PAUL WESLEY - Lakewood, OH

“I did not know Jay. I produce an outdoor radio show in Southwest Ohio and we are having OGF on tonight so I signed up for their site. From there I...Read More » ”
4 of 48 | Posted by: M - Dayton

“Listening to Jay on his radio show brought me back to my youth growing up in the Cuyahoga Valley. As I can no longer go into the woods due to MS, he...Read More » ”
5 of 48 | Posted by: Dennis Urso - Parma, OH

“Michelle, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you. Jay will be truly missed. ”
6 of 48 | Posted by: John Raiter - North Royalton, OH

“To Reno's Family&Michelle, I was truely stunned&saddened to see that Jay has passed.I met him at Hocking Tech College when I was an assistant...Read More » ”
7 of 48 | Posted by: Jeff Stewart - Boardman, OH

“Dear Michelle, I will always see your husband wearing that wide smile as he got ready to launch into one of his countless stories about his days in...Read More » ”
8 of 48 | Posted by: paul thomas - friend

“Michelle, I just heard today,I am so sorry to hear this I knew nothing about this.I met Jay one day at home in Troy over a raccoon. He and I became...Read More » ”
9 of 48 | Posted by: david korenke - dickson, TN

“Jay was a great friend and mentor. He took me under his wing many years ago and has been my big brother ever since. I will truly miss him. My...Read More » ”
10 of 48 | Posted by: Chris Holt - Auburn, OH - Friend

“Michelle, I met Jay when I was working at the Geauga Humane Society when he stopped in for milk for a baby deer. Our paths met many times over the...Read More » ”
11 of 48 | Posted by: Diana - Newbury, OH

“I didn't know Jay for a long time, unlike many of his friends--and of that I am envious! From the day we met at WELW, Jay and I hit it off. I loved...Read More » ”
12 of 48 | Posted by: Steve Neumann - Willoughby, OH

“To Michelle, I am truly sorry for your loss. Reno was an individual who could light up a room and make anyone feel welcome. He would come to the...Read More » ”
13 of 48 | Posted by: Joe Sweeny - Cleveland, OH

“You will be missed Big guy. ”
14 of 48 | Posted by: Bryan Kuch - Bainbridge, OH

“You will be greatly missed. Rest in peace brother. ”
15 of 48 | Posted by: J.R. Derus - Roaming Shores, OH

“Jay will be missed by all that knew him especially the members of all the youth and conservation clubs that he assisted with their activities. On...Read More » ”
16 of 48 | Posted by: Ken Pontius Secretary of the Lake Milton Fish and Game Club - OH

“Reno would come in to get a Venti Coffee when i worked at Starbucks and always had the best stories! He could turn the worst day into amazing...Read More » ”
17 of 48 | Posted by: Lauren Landgraf - mentor, OH

“Many fond memories, we will never forget! You had a real inpact on our sons, Rest in peace! ”
18 of 48 | Posted by: Janet and Mike Wendl

“We are so sorry for your loss. Jay was a great guy that loved life. He taught us all how to truly LIVE. Jack and Patti Gallagher ”
19 of 48 | Posted by: Patti Gallagher - Burton, OH

“Reno...you always made us laugh. Talked to you awhile ago on FB and we talked fishing! It was nice catching up and may you fish with the angels! May...Read More » ”
20 of 48 | Posted by: MaryAnne Melewski LoBosco - IL

“Michelle, I can't express enough how sorry I am. Jay was a fantastic man and will be so missed. Heaven is an even better place with him in it. ...Read More » ”
21 of 48 | Posted by: Lynn Meyer - Newbury, OH - Friend

“Michelle - we are so very sorry. Your loss is shared by all who knew and loved Jay. You are in our thoughts and prayers Don and Karen ”
22 of 48 | Posted by: Don and Karen Feather - Maryville, TN

“Michelle, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jay was a wonderful man and someone a lot of people admired. You are both very kind and wonderful...Read More » ”
23 of 48 | Posted by: Allan, Jeanne & R.J. Jefferson - OH

“Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about Jay. I didnt know him but have read some wonderful things about him. Sounds like he was a wonderful man. ...Read More » ”
24 of 48 | Posted by: Diane Sass-Mullins - Wickliffe, OH

“May God Bless Jay and his family. Our thoughts and prayer's are with him and his family. We are glad to have known him and thankful for the...Read More » ”
25 of 48 | Posted by: Jim & Jessie Hill and Boy's Josh & Justin - OH

“MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY IN TIME OF SORROW. I KNOW HE WILL BE DOING THE SWING AND CHA CHA. WHERE HE IS....... ANGIE GRYSHO--HIS FAVORITE...Read More » ”
26 of 48 | Posted by: ANGIE GRYSHO - NEWBURY, OH

“From Burton Drug to the Police Memorial in Cleveland and "chasing" injured deer from car crashes. You ALWAYS made me laugh,no matter what!!! I'll...Read More » ”
27 of 48 | Posted by: James "JJ" Vargo - Chardon Twp., OH

“I MET JAY AT PILGRIM HILLS IN THE 1980"S. ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE CARRYING SOME SORT OF "CRITTER". GREAT GUY!!! MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS...Read More » ”
28 of 48 | Posted by: LAURA (PENDELL) DENNEY - COLUMBUS, OH

“Jay was a pillar in the wildlife community and will be gravely missed. My first memories of him are working side-by-side at the Ohio State Fair,...Read More » ”
29 of 48 | Posted by: Lindsay Deering

“We had the privilege of getting to know Jay of the years at the Boating Festival downtown. His generosity and eagerness to share his love of the...Read More » ”
30 of 48 | Posted by: Mega & Greg Cuiffo - OH

“We should all be as blessed as Jay was. His family,his friends,his adventures and his zest for life. He is the perfect role model. We should all live...Read More » ”
31 of 48 | Posted by: Walter J Pantea - Barberton , OH

“Jay was a tremendous asset to the division of wildlife during his 27 years. He always was positive and willing to help everyone. The outdoors men and...Read More » ”
32 of 48 | Posted by: dan schneider - columbus, OH

“Dear Michelle, My deepest sympathy at your time of loss. Thinking of you. Joe Saraney ”
33 of 48 | Posted by: Joe Saraney - Munson Twp, OH

“Jay was always a kind wonderful person to see and be around. The Ohio outdoors and the world will not be the same without him. I am grateful to...Read More » ”
34 of 48 | Posted by: Colleen Corrigan Day - Parma, OH

“My family and I grew up knowing Jay as he worked together with my Uncle Jerry Woolf (City of Akron Ranger for Ladue Reservoir). I remember him over...Read More » ”
35 of 48 | Posted by: Jim Woolf - Streetsboro, OH

“Dearest Michelle our thoughts & prayers have been, are now and will be with you and Jay always. We treasure all of the good times we enjoyed...Read More » ”
36 of 48 | Posted by: Bob & Judy Meyer - Chesterland, OH

“Dear Michelle, My heart goes out to you. Jay packed more into his 51 years than most of us will ever do. He was a true mentor and friend. I...Read More » ”
37 of 48 | Posted by: Judith K McMillan - OH

“My heartfelt prayers go to Michelle and the dogs, and to all of Jay's family. Jay was a wonderful man. When he worked here at District Three - he...Read More » ”
38 of 48 | Posted by: Anjy Jefferys - Akron, OH, OH

“God bless all in Jay's family. Michelle, my prayers are with you now and in the days to come. Jay was a wonderful man. He was so fun, funny, and...Read More » ”
39 of 48 | Posted by: Wendy L. Shone - Girard, OH

“What a sad loss to the community and everyone who knew him. My deepest sympathies to the family. ”
40 of 48 | Posted by: Heather Bulfinch

“♫❤Jay always made me feel like a special friend. His warmth, love for life and smile and laughter will live on in my heart ❤♫ ”
41 of 48 | Posted by: Jerry Arnal - Youngstown, OH

“Jay will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. He was a very wonderful man who went out of his away to do anything he could to make another...Read More » ”
42 of 48 | Posted by: Dawn McGonigal - Rittman, OH

“Jay provided laughs, memories, and knowledge that I would never have otherwise and I will always remember him, miss him and be grateful he was part...Read More » ”
43 of 48 | Posted by: Don Morse - Wellington, CO

“It's not the date you were born, or the date you died, that really matters. It's "the dash" between those years and what you do with it, to make a...Read More » ”
44 of 48 | Posted by: Don Coburn - Columbus, OH

“As Simple As It Gets...: Thanx,Buddy....Thanx For It All..... ”
45 of 48 | Posted by: Bob Golias - Hambden Twp., OH

“Reno had such a positive impact on my sons with their interest in hunting and trapping and we are all so saddened by his passing. Our thoughts and...Read More » ”
46 of 48 | Posted by: Sharron Bricker - Auburn Twp., OH

“My sincere condolences to Jay's family. What a remarkable impact he made on the world in such a short time on this earth. The picture of he and the...Read More » ”
47 of 48 | Posted by: Molly Graziano - OH

“Dear Michelle, Roesanne Forrester just apprised me of your loss. I remember how jape you were when you first married. May you be consoled by your...Read More » ”
48 of 48 | Posted by: Vivian Garfunkel - OH


Reno A. "Jay" Reda Jr., 52, of Chardon Township, passed away Jan. 16, 2012, at Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland surrounded by his loving family, his dogs, and "Reno's Army."
Born April 3, 1959, in Youngstown, he had lived in Youngstown before moving to Geauga County in the early 1980s.
Jay served as a State Wildlife officer for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for 27 years, retiring Oct. 31, 2008. He has been the host of "Inside the Great Outdoors" talk radio show on 1420 WHK, Sunday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. for the last 11 years. For many years, Jay held a part-time commission with the Geauga County Sheriff's Office.
Reno "Jay" Reda married Michelle Faber in Chardon, July 2, 2005.
Jay's greatest joy was spending time with family, friends and his golden retrievers. He spent many hours cooking and won several awards while participating in celebrity cooking contests. Jay had a great passion for educating people of all ages about the great outdoors. Jay was a self defense, firearms, archery and fishing instructor, was the first fully certified Wildlife Enforcement K-9 handler. He also worked two and a half years undercover narcotics with federal task force and served as the media liaison for Division of Wildlife. He was a regular guest host on outdoor segments of Wild Ohio TV and WKYC.com/outdoors TV (channel 3). He was a hunting and obedience dog trainer.
Jay was a self defense trainer (firearms, hand-to-hand, etc.) for both law enforcement and private citizens, specifically women so they could enjoy the great outdoors. He was a competitive power lifter (squat, dead lift, bench press) and held a record or two for a while. Jay served as a peer counselor for survivors of critical incidents. He loved hunting especially pheasants, doves and waterfowl with Michelle, Grizzly Bear (his nine-year-old golden retriever), Bruin (his five-year-old golden retriever) and Munchie (his 17-year-old "speckled retriever").
His passion for fishing was equaled by his joy of watching others master the sport. He loved to cook and "catered" a few dinners here and there. He taught cooking, specializing in Italian and wild cuisine. He also owned a small consulting company. Jay was a longtime member of the Chardon Rotary Club, until his work travels prevented him from attending.
He was honored with awards such as the Conservationist of the Year by Soil and Water Conservation District, Outdoor Skills Professional of the Year, Wildlife Officer of the Year, Governors Merit Award, Medal of Valor, Dupont Survivors Award and many others.
Survivors are his wife, Michelle (nee Faber) Reda of Chardon Township; sister, Gina (Paul) Garchar of Struthers; brother, Sam (Rhonda) Reda of Pataskala; nieces and nephews, Aubourne (Phil) Nemeth of Willowick, Larry, Paulie and Adrianna Garchar of Struthers, Sabrina and Reno Reda of Pataskala.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reno A. and Betty L. (nee Failor) Reda Sr.
Memorial services will be noon Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at The Church of St. Mary, Banquet Hall, 401 North St., Chardon. where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday. Private family burial will be at a later date.
The family requests donations to the Geauga County Agricultural Society, c/o Natural Resources Area, P.O. Box 402, Burton, OH 44021, so his work can continue.
Arrangements are being handled by The Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon.