Jay Hoyt Howard, born John Otto Utzinger on August 18, 1956, in Ray, Arizona, was adopted in 1958 by Ray Howard, who became both his father and mentor in life and work.

Jay spent his early years on ranches throughout southwestern Arizona, where his lifelong love of ranching began. He started riding at just two years old on an old gelding named “Killer.” Over the years, he worked across multiple ranches totaling more than 66,000 acres, managing cattle, brands, and operations with skill and dedication. Alongside his father, he registered their “Backwards RC” brand in two states. Known for his quiet, steady approach, Jay never relied on dogs or hot shots—instead, he called his cattle from pasture to pasture and passed that unique method on to his children.

A man of many talents, Jay loved trapping, fishing, and rodeo. He was also deeply artistic, expressing himself through jewelry making, pencil drawing, silversmithing, calligraphy, and rope braiding.

In 1984, Jay moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he worked building homes. It was there he met the love of his life, Vickie, with whom he shared 41 years of marriage. They later moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where they began raising their family. After the birth of their first son, they were blessed with two daughters.

In 1994, Jay and his family moved to Bayfield, Colorado, where they purchased a small ranch. There, he built a respected operation raising Charolais cattle and producing grass-fed beef known throughout the community. Their family continued to grow with the birth of two more sons in 1996 and 2000.

Jay’s love of music became another important part of his life. He learned to play guitar and clawhammer banjo, and from 2001 to 2007, he traveled the country with Vickie and their five children, performing as a family bluegrass gospel band.

In 2007, Jay founded Joy in the Messiah, a Messianic synagogue in Bayfield. He was ordained as a pastor in 2009 and later as a rabbi in 2013 through an Israeli ordination in partnership with the SHMBE community. In 2017, he traveled to Israel to bring back a Torah scroll that had survived the Holocaust—an item he cherished deeply. Jay learned to read and write Biblical Hebrew and faithfully read from the Torah each Saturday.

For over 20 years, Jay found great joy in teaching the Word of God and building relationships within his community. He also began hosting public Passover celebrations in 2007, and through dedication and faith, helped transform a former brewery into a thriving Messianic synagogue serving the Four Corners region.

Above all, Jay’s greatest love was his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his unwavering faith.

Jay is survived by Jay is survived by his loving wife, Vickie Howard; his five children, Max Howard, Hannah Johnson, Sophie Owen, Ray Howard, and Melanie Martineau; his nephew, Mark Menges; and his 15 grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Betty Howard; his sister, Christi Howard; and his son, Samuel Howard Utzinger.

A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Joy in the Messiah Congregation, 442 Wolverine Drive, Bayfield, Colorado 81122. Guests are encouraged to wear colorful clothing. A meal will follow the service.

Jay co-founded Joy in the Messiah alongside his wife and children. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor at:
https://joyinthemessiah.com/giving