Area 5 Director

Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, Inc., (NARVRE)

JAY WEAKS

BIO

Jay was born in Temple, Texas in May of 1951 and although Temple is where his railroad career would begin, he did move around a lot while growing up.

Attending 12 different schools, always the new kid, this contributed to his friendly personality. Having lived in the Bay Area of California for over 6 years, then back to Texas to finish high school. At age 15 Jay dedicated his life to Christ and with that, his Christian walk became the guide for his life.

It was while working for the City of Temple in the Engineering Dept that he met and married the love of his life, Mary and they would begin their lives in Temple. Jay and Mary have a daughter and a son, and five grandchildren who fill their hearts and lives and calendars.

Jay has served his church community as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and in several other capacities in his local church.  

Jay’s railroad career began on March 23^rd, 1977 with Santa Fe Railroad in the Operating Dept with the distinguished position of Switchman, then Brakeman. With the Conductor’s Test on the horizon, Jay took the leap to become an Engineer Trainee and became a qualified Engineer in March of 1981. Jay was blessed to have spent his entire 34 years with Santa Fe/BNSF working out of Temple, the last five years taking freight trains from Temple to Galveston.

That was the best job on the railroad. Layover time spent bicycling or walking along the seawall in Galveston, Texas. With the retirement age being changed to age 60 with 30 years of service, retirement sounded even better than the occasional stroll on the beach after being up all night, so Jay opted to retire on June 1, 2011.

Jay and his wife, Mary enjoyed traveling domestically, driving from Coast to Coast as well as being bitten by the Cruise bug, now having  been on nearly 20 cruises. With retirement Jay and Mary joined the local NARVRE Unit, 71 in Temple, TX and enjoyed the camaraderie of old friends as well as getting acquainted with other veteran railroaders they hadn’t met. After enjoying the NARVRE family for a few years Jay was elected as Vice President and served for several years until being elected President of the unit where he still serves today.

In 2025 Jay was approached and asked to consider serving as Area 5 Director to fill the position vacated with the death of Anthony Padilla. It’s such and honor to serve my fellow NARVRE members in the various capacities, assuring the flow of information to all members as it becomes available to me.