John "Jay" R. English, Jr.

John "Jay" R. English, Jr., 63 of Benton, Kentucky passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at his home in Benton, Kentucky.

Born Monday, June 17, 1963 in Thornton, Illinois, he was the son of the late John R.  English, Sr. and the late Patricia Self English. John was a member of the HOG Motorcycle Club and the Paducah- South Side Kiwana's. He also spent some time in the McCracken County School System as a substitute teacher. John spent 20 years in the United States Army as he made it a career. He was in Operation Desert Storm, deployed to Somalia and ended his career as the NCOIC of the 1rst Replacement Division at Fort Riley, KS.
During his time in the Army, he was awarded numerous service medals and citations.

Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Peggy English; his son, John  Ray English, III (Alyssa Nelson) of Benton, KY;  daughter, Jessica Nichols of Paducah, KY; brother, Bob English (Becky) of Grant Park, IL; sisters, Marilyn Zaerr (James) of Geneva, IL and Denise Cicardo (Joe) of Eddyville, KY; grandchildren, Elijah English, Delaney Fawcett and Layla Nelson and great grandchild, Asher English.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Scott Nichols.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM at the Collier Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dennis Lawrence officiating.

Burial to follow at Mt, Carmel Cemetery in Paducah, KY with Military Rites.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at Collier Funeral Home Located at 211 West 5th Street Benton, KY 42025. 270-527-3141.

The family has requested donations be made to the Dementia Society of America PO Box 600 Doyletown, PA 18901 or online at www.dementiasociety.org, or the American Heart Association 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231 or online at www.heart.org, or to St. Jude Children Hospital,  Memorials Processing St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959.