Jay J. Armes

Jay J. Armes, Sr. peacefully passed away on the morning of September 18, 2024 at the age of 92. He was surrounded by his family. Mr. Armes was born on August 12, 1932 as the fourth five children born to Pedro and Beatrice Armas of El Paso, Texas. At the tender age of 11, Jay lost his hands in an explosion caused by railroad torpedos which were brought to his home by a childhood friend. His hands were amputated at the wrist and were replaced by two alloy prostheses which became his trademark of sorts. Despite that tragic accident, Jay never allowed that to slow him down in any way. The loss of his hands did, however, change him in a very profound way. It instilled a burning desire to be the best at everything he did. From his humble beginnings in Ysleta, Texas, Mr. Armes started his Private Investigation firm, “The Investigators” which he grew into a Private Investigative and Security services empire. Jay went on to become one of the best, most recognized, and most respected Private Investigators in the world. He spent his entire life working on seemingly impossible cases around the globe, and his exploits over the course of his 70 year career brought him fame, fortune, and worldwide acclaim. His cases routinely made local, national, and international headlines. As if Jay’s work as a Private Investigator wasn't remarkable enough, he was also an Actor, a successful Businessman, a Night Club owner, a Bodyguard, a Security Company Operator, a Deputy Constable, a best-selling Author, a Magazine Publisher, a two-term City Councilman, a US Government Security Contractor, a wild animal trainer, a car enthusiast, a father, and proud grandfather. He was a silent patron in his community, focusing his interests on his church, the elderly, and orphans. 

He is also the only Private Investigator in history to have an action figure modeled after him. Jay had a great sense of humor and was a prankster at heart. Most people never got a chance to see that side of him, but those who did were pleasantly surprised. He was a fan of the music of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Hank Williams Sr., and Willie Nelson. Jay raised exotic animals as a hobby. He always had a special connection with animals of all types. He loved animals and animals loved him! He had a particular fondness for Tigers. Besides his animals, Jay’s favorite thing to do was work. He didn't golf, he didn't vacation, he didn't go hang out with friends, or even family. Work always came first and foremost driving him to continue working into the last years of his life. Jay took every case personally and he helped literally thousands of people throughout his 67-year career. His private investigation firm, The Investigators, was one of the longest-running, privately owned PI firms in the world. By the end of his career, Jay had conducted complex and hi-risk investigations in virtually every major city in the world. Despite Jay’s many accomplishments, he never took credit for the difficult cases that he solved. 

Instead, he always gave credit to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jay was a devout Christian, and he always made sure that everyone around him knew that. Jay loved El Paso and the people of El Paso. Many times he was interviewed by national or international media, many of whom would ask, “Of all the places in the world that you could live Jay, Beverly Hills, New York, Chicago, Dallas, -- why El Paso?” Jay would always smile and simply say, “Because El Paso is my home.” Jay lived a truly remarkable life, he lived life on his own terms, and he left an indelible mark on his community. In his words, “I did it my way.” Mr. Armes was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro Armas and Beatrice Armas, his brother’s Constantino Armas, and Pete Armas, his sister, Beatrice Santo Domingo, and B. Rose McCarty, his former spouse. He is survived by his devoted wife, of 58 years, Linda Armes, his son’s, Jay J. Armes III and Michael Armes, his daughter’s, Tracy Armes, Marleen Dodd, and Debra Armes-Ferrell, his sister, Eva Boone, his grandsons, Brandon Armes, Dylan Armes, John Diffley, Stephen Diffley, Julien Dodd, and Marshall Dodd, his granddaughter’s, Alexa Armes, Ashley Armes, Jennifer Obenshain, and Stephanie Flores, his great grandson’s, Aiden Dodd, Jackson Tatum, and Jack Obenshain, and his great granddaughter, Hailey Blackwell. 

A private service will be held for family members only. In lieu of flowers, friends and admirers are encouraged to make a donation to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation in memory of Jay J. Armes. You can donate online at https://davidshepherd.org/donate/