Jay Deryl Carswell was born on May 25, 1968, in Plainville, KS, the son of Deryl and Wilda (Stockbridge) Carswell. He went to be with the Lord on May 2, 2025, doing what he loved, working on the farm in Alton, KS.

Growing up in Alton, Jay attended Osborne High School and graduated in 1986. He was involved in many activities growing up, being an active member of Osborne County 4-H, FFA, and sports. After high school he attended Colby Community College, where he was a mascot, and may or may not have had some consequences for mooning the crowd at a basketball game. Once graduated from Colby, he continued his studies by earning an Accounting Degree from Kansas State University. 

After graduating college, he moved to Wichita, KS to work for Koch Industries. It was here that he met his first wife, Stacey (Gondos) Brummer. To this union two children, Jayson and Alyssa, were born. In 1996 Jay moved back to Alton to assist his dad on the family farm. Jay and Stacey later divorced. Jay fully took over the farming operation when his dad passed away in 2007.

Soon after taking over the farm, he met his future wife, Paula. The two struck up a relationship after Jay left his number on a piece of paper for her as she was waitressing at the restaurant in Alton.  On January 10, 2009, he married Paula Hendrich in Alton, KS. He gained two stepdaughters, Rikki and Chloe, through this marriage, who he claimed as his own from the beginning.

Shortly after getting married, Paula started working full-time on the farm with him, and the two were partners in everything ever since. Jay loved farming and cattle, and the two of them worked side by side every day tending to their land and animals with care.

Jay enjoyed traveling, and the beach was one of his favorite places to be. He loved to water ski and was in a Ski Club in his younger days in Wichita. He was also actively involved in Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, NRCS, Rural Water District, Osborne County 4-H, along with regularly hosting events for friends and family.

Jay developed a strong relationship to God at the New Covenant Church in Smith Center. His faith in God and devotion to his family has left a legacy on his wife, children and grandchildren that will last forever.  

Jay was preceded in death by his father, Deryl Carswell. He is survived by his wife Paula Carswell of Alton; mother, Wilda Carswell of Alton; son, Jayson Carswell of Wichita; three daughters, Alyssa Carswell of Osborne, Rikki (Trevor) Oliver of Osborne, Chloe (A.J.) Grammon of Logan; brother, Darwin Carswell of Alton; two sisters, Janel Burch and Donita Shike both of Osborne and four grandchildren, Kruze, Lexie and Asher Oliver and Ryatt Rosser.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at New Covenant Church, 117 W. Kansas St., Smith Center, KS, with Pastor Mike Gooder officiating.  Visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS, and Tuesday, May 6th, 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  The burial will take place in the Sumner Cemetery, Alton, KS.  Memorials may be given to the Osborne County 4-H Club and/or New Covenant Church of Smith Center and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.