Ronald J. 'Jay' Mellage Jr.

Ronald J. ‘Jay’ Mellage Jr., devoted father of Katelyn M. (Brice Richter) Mellage, Kelli M. (Evan Yeavell) Cook, Bryan Mellage and Christopher Mellage, all of Cincinnati and his step-children Kimberly Cook and Kevin Cook.  Dear brother of Jason Mellage, Aaron Delph, Bobbie West and Lisa Henderson, all of Alabama. Caring son of Alberta Wessel of Alabama and the late Ronald J. Mellage.  Also survived by the mother of his children, Christine Cook of Cincinnati, his lifelong friend Joe Bauer of Cincinnati and many nieces and nephews, including John Wessel and his family, as well as many cousins, neighbors and friends.

Special remembrance from Jay’s children:

The love for NASCAR, working on cars, and having a good time. Jay or as many people called him "goat" was a man people never forgot after meeting him.  His love for his family will always be in his heart unconditionally. Jay's ambition to travel never stopped him from pursuing his desire. He was a jack-of-all-trades, especially his work skills. He was very talented in his line of work with transmissions; he could disassemble and reassemble a transmission in only just a few hours. Jay's love for music was substantial; he loved rocking out to ACDC and singing along to Billy Currington. He had many good times with his kids; ones they'll never forget. His daughters will always remember the jokes he used to pull on them constantly and the special nicknames he had for them, "Yuck" and "Stinky Face". No one understood the nicknames but they sure did. His sons will always remember their special steak dinners together and their bonding moments helping their dad out in the garage. His children will always remember their father and their good times forever. Jay, as everyone can vouch, was someone who knew how to have a good time and wasn't afraid of much when it came to life itself. He truly was a man who didn't care what anyone thought of him besides himself and always stuck by that. He was brave and fearless. He will always remain in the hearts of his loved ones, forever. He will be tremendously missed by all.

Jay passed away at Mercy West Hospital on February 24, 2024 after a brief illness; he was 48 years old.

Services will be at a later date at the convenience of the family.  Ralph Meyer & Deters Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

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