James “Jay” Henry Tolbert, Jr.

Newport News, Va. – Mr. James “Jay” Henry Tolbert Jr. was born on September 28, 1961 in Newport News, VA. On January 23, 2022, at 60 years of age, he peacefully left this world to be with his mother, Linda Tolbert.
Jay, oldest of 4 children, lived larger than life. Spending his childhood in Virginia, his family moved to New Orleans, LA in 1976. There he continued martial arts training, eventually becoming a fifth degree black belt in jiu jitsu and tae kwon doe. He enlisted in the United States Army where his martial arts skills were used to train many soldiers.
Coming out of the military, Jay was an inventor, creating the world’s first “shoe” water ski, aptly titled Jayski, which are still used in competitive and leisure water skiing today.
Jay moved back to Virginia to be with his family in 1989. He then went on to write a book, The Book of You, open a karate school in Newport News, and was also inducted in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Akron, OH.
Jay lived to the beat of his own drum. He was the life of the party, quick to jump up and bust a move, dance floor or not. His laugh was infectious and his presence, not to be missed.
He is survived by his father, Jim Henry Tolbert Sr, his sisters, Tamara Quitko and Angela Salcido (Raul), and brother, Thomas Tolbert, as well as his daughter, Nicole Clark, along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at County Grill in Hampton on Saturday, 2/5/2022 from 1pm to 330pm. All are welcome to join. Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, Va.