Jay A. Brandt Obituary (1955 - 2014)

Jay Arthur Brandt, 58, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014, following a brief illness at his home in Dallas, Texas.A memorial service will be held at Illinois Wesleyan Universitys Evelyn Chapel, 1301 North Park Street, Bloomington, Illinois, on Saturday, March 1st, at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate and honor Jays life. Flowers may be sent to Evelyn Chapel all day on Friday and Saturday morning, prior to the service. A previous service occurred in Dallas, TX and private family burial was held. Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donors choice.To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.Jay is survived by his wife, Catherine A. Brandt, and two daughters, Claire T. and Rebecca J. Brandt, all of Dallas. He is also survived by his father, John S. Brandt, sisters, Diane (Rick) Johnson and Amy (Art) Calamari, and his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Barbara J. Brandt.Jay was a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, where he studied political science and music, and Southern Illinois Universitys School of Law. He was an accomplished trial and appellate attorney and was of counsel at the law firm of Wilson Elser in Dallas, where he was highly regarded as a colleague, mentor, and friend. Jay was a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas and Dallas Bar Associations. He argued and tried cases in the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, in the United States District Courts throughout both Texas and Oklahoma, and in multiple state courts across Texas and its surrounding states. Jay also devoted a considerable amount of his time performing pro bono legal work for indigent individuals charged with federal crimes. Jay was a life fellow in the Texas Bar Foundation and was a member of the St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas.Although a resident of Dallas, Jay always maintained his ties to Bloomington-Normal, where he was raised and attended school. He was blessed to have family, friends, and loved ones in both communities and all were blessed who knew, loved, and befriended Jay.Jay was deeply devoted to his two daughters, whom he considered to be the loves of his life. He coached their soccer teams, ran and timed their swim meets, attended their concerts, and was so proud of the young women that they have become. Jay was also a wonderful son, brother, uncle, and friend. His family and friends cherished his wonderful sense of humor, musical talents, kind heart, and never-failing decency. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.