Pecan Gap, Texas -- Jeromy "Jay" Kyle Connell of Riesel, Texas, passed away on July 27, 2026, in Port Aransas, Texas with his wife and family. He was born August 27, 1973, in Greenville, Texas and raised in Pecan Gap, Texas by his parents, Janice and Kelly Connell. He married the love of his life Tami Taylor, October 6, 2017, and helped raised her children, McKenzi and Hagen as his own.

He was a proud Fannindel Falcon and was a key member of the Falcons’ state semifinal football team in 1988 and state champion basketball team in 1989. He was an FFA member and showed and judged livestock. After graduation in 1991, he served his country in the Texas Air National Guard, providing state and global airlift support as a member of the 136th Aerial Port Squadron.

During Jeromy’s journey through life he held a variety of careers. He was a craftsman, welder, cattleman, auctioneer, trailer transporter, rodeo clown, car salesman, US Postal worker, hay broker, Texas Juvenile Corrections program counselor, and friend to everyone.

In the early 2000s, after many struggles and challenges, Jeromy was led to Christ, and he found what was his true calling. Jeromy began his work in the church in Kaufman from 2002 to 2005, working with the youth at FBC Kaufman and serving as an elder. He also traveled to Tanzania to work as a missionary and helped the homeless through a mission program in Kansas. It was during his time in Kaufman that he became an ordained minister. He moved to Aledo, IL in December 2005 to be a youth pastor and then returned to Texas in 2007.

Through Jeromy’s life experiences, he understood a traditional church could not reach many who desperately needed the Word, and his start-up ministry in the Waco Sale Barn was perfect for what he knew the area needed.

From its humble beginnings, the Heart of Texas Cowboy Church grew into the thriving ministry it is today.

Jeromy and his wife grew into a beautiful, Christ-centered family. They supported each other through life’s experiences, traveling, riding Harleys with his wife, fishing, hunting, showing livestock, loving older trucks and cars, and continuing to build the Heart of Texas Cowboy Church.

When Jeromy became ill with Covid in December 2020, the family became even closer. Despite facing many challenges over the next five years, Jeromy leaned on Tami to help with the church family and their family, which included a son-in-law when McKenzi married Hunter Pemberton in 2025. The family continued to face many trials and tribulations but always found their way through them.

Even as Jeromy’s physical health continued to decline, the family lived life to the fullest. Jeromy remained a servant of God until his final breath.

Jeromy (Jay) Kyle Connell is survived by his wife Tami and son, Hagen of Riesel, Texas; daughter McKenzi and husband Hunter Pemberton of Klondike, Texas; parents Janice and Kelly Connell of Pecan Gap, Texas; mother-in-law Linda (Grammie) Patrick and husband Tommy of Elm Mott, Texas; niece Alyssa Tucker, great niece and nephew Bella and Able of Waco, Texas; sister Shelley and husband Charlie Waskow of Kilgore, Texas; cousins Scott Franklin and wife Cynthia of Pecan Gap, Texas; Shaun Franklin and wife Michelle of Greenville, Texas; Tyler Franklin, Katie Morrow and Xavier Brown, Christopher and Ami Franklin, Payton and Mattie Franklin, Brendan and Kyna Morrow, Lyndsey Franklin, Jace Franklin; extended family Robert and Mary Leathers, Jimmy and Priscilla (Prissy) Hyde, Ed and Karen Pickard, Bobby and Billy Jo McCarrell, Martha Shaw, Elaine Owens, Michael and Krista Owens, Kacey and Brandon Pauler, Billy and Shannon Owens, Randy and Jackie Fitzgerald, Darrell and Judy Fitzgerald, and numerous other relatives and close friends.

He is preceded in death by grandparents Willard and Aline Franklin, father-in-law Rickey Taylor, grandparents Charles and Katyjean Connell, uncle and aunt Doug and Peggy Franklin, uncle Michael Owens and cousin Elisa Owens

Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the Heart of Texas Cowboy Church, Waco, Texas and at Pecan Gap Community Center on Saturday, August 15 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to the family through this GoFundMe link. Your generosity and support during this challenging time are deeply appreciated.