Jay Denton

Jay Darnell Denton was born December 17th, 1943 in Hays, Kansas to Henry and Hope Denton. He had three brothers; Jim, Rance, Craig, and one sister, Jan.

Jay started his teaching and coaching career in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1968. He came to Eloy, Santa Cruz High School in 1969. He coached 27 cumulative years at Santa Cruz before moving to Yuma, Arizona in 2006. He coached at San Luis High School for three years then Gila Ridge High School for four years before he retired in 2013.

Coach Denton was inducted to the Arizona Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004, Santa Cruz High School Hall of Fame in 2016, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2021.

Jay married Sharon Sullivan in 1971. They celebrated their 50-year anniversary in August, 2021. They have two children; Randi (Mario) and J.D. Jay spent the last ten years focusing on family, specifically his grandchildren; Daniel, Jayden, Clara, and Jayce. Any spare time was spent on the golf course.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 17th, 2022 at Trinity Baptist Church, 1100 E. Trinity Place in Casa Grande. Viewing will start at 9:00am with the services to follow at 10:00am. A procession will lead to Mountain View Cemetery, 15506 W. Skyway Ave. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Boys and Girls Club, 1905 N. Peart Rd. Casa Grande.

In lieu of flowers, a monetary donation can be made to the Coach Denton Memorial Scholarship fund, please email Randi at randidenton@icloud.com for more information.