Marvin Jay Yust

Marvin Jay Cohen (Jay Marvin) passed away at home with his wife, Mary, on January 31, 2023, after a long illness.

After a successful 17 year career as a country music disc jockey, Jay switched to his dream career as a liberal talk radio host.  He was very successful in Tampa, Denver, and his favorite job ever at WLS 890 in Chicago.  His creativity didn’t stop there.  He was a talented painter and writer.  He had art exhibits in Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego and Denver, and he did a CD cover for Tom Russell.  He wrote a critically acclaimed experimental novel, Punk Blood, he had five books of poetry published, and his poetry was published in numerous periodicals including The New York Quarterly and the Mississippi Review.

Jay loved animals so much he considered them family.  He always had at least one Pembroke Welsh Corgi and one rescue.  His beloved parrot, Bill, picked him out at a pet store when they were looking for a bird for Mary.  When Bill climbed up Jay‘s back and started nuzzling in his beard, Mary knew the search was over.  She was disappointed when they found out Bill was born with congenital cataracts, but not Jay.  His response was that Bill was meant to be with them so they could make sure his eyes would always be taken care of.  From day one, Jay was Pa or Poppy and Mary was and still is, Hey You.

Jay is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary; his beloved daughter, Rachel Tarin of Midland, Texas; two grandchildren, Bailey and Lynzi Tarin also of Midland, Texas.  He was proceeded in death by his beloved father, Stuart Jerome Cohen of Beverly Hills, California and his mother, Marcia of Minnesota.

Per Jay’s wishes, a private service was held and conducted by Rabbi Rick Brody.  Rabbi Rick and Jay had such a special connection, which made the service even more beautiful.  He told Jay he had taken his last breath from his earthly body, but he would continue to breathe through all the lives he touched and that he was now at peace breathing in his eternal life.  He read beautiful psalms and even did a couple of readings from Jack Kerouac, which proved how well he knew and understood our precious Jay.