Jerry Joseph "Jay" Vegas, Jr.

Jerry Joseph Vegas, Jr., 69, passed away August 12th, 2023 at his home in the White Cypress Lakes community, surrounded by his loving family. Jay, as he was known to most, was born October 07, 1953 on the West Bank, the oldest of four children to Jerry Joseph, Sr. and Mercedes (Bollingham) Vegas. He grew up on the West Bank where he was pretty much the typical South Louisiana young man. Hunting, fishing, and LSU sports were about the only things that really mattered. He graduated high school and joined the US Army where he served for a few years and was a proud Vietnam veteran. After his discharge, Jay became a security guard at a local construction company. He met Diana while working and they developed a friendship that eventually led to their marriage in 1998. Diana founded Big Mama's Cajun Kitchen on Hwy 53, and Jay was always there, whether he wanted to be or not. He helped decorate the place, cooked, cleaned, or anything else needed. He was the primary person on the grill, making some of the best steaks around, and boy could he fry onion rings too! Outside the restaurant, Jay enjoyed getting together with friends and family. He loved to build things, making many crafts and other items through the years, such as pic-nic tables, decorative boats, or anything else he wanted to. If he saw it, he could build it himself. Jay loved to play cards, hang out with kids and grandkids, and follow his LSU sports. Though he had his ways about him now, he was an easy-going man that loved his family above all else. Jay will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him, as well as all those he fed at Big Mama's. He was preceded by his parents, Jerry and Mercedes Vegas, Sr. Left to cherish his memories are: his loving wife of the past 24 years, Diane "Big Mama" Vegas; their children: Jim (Jessica) Villasenor of Des Allemands, LA, Vanessa Robichaux (Ed Wittneber) of Gulfport, and Joseph (Jessica) Waterman of Picayune; his siblings: brothers Frankie (Diantha) Vegas of Kiln and David Vegas of the White Cypress Lakes community, with his sister Lisa (Mike) Bennett, also of White Cypress Lakes; and his son-in-law Lee Robichaux, Sr., also of Des Allemands. Jay leaves a legacy of eight grandchildren: Lee, Jr., Olivia, and Arianna Robichaux, Cade, Cole, and Rylee Villasenor, with Lorelei and Logan Waterman, plus one great-granddaughter, Ella Rose Villasenor, along with numerous extended family and friends. Services are set for Saturday, August 19th at Community Baptist Church. Visitsation will begina at 9:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at noon. Afterward, Jay will be laid to rest beside his parents in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Picayune. Following the interment, everyone is invited to meet at Big Mamma's Cajun Kitchen. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Vegas family in their time of need and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers through the days ahead.

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