Individual Details
John James "Jay" Comstock
(17 Jul 1919 - 29 Jun 2006)
1938 "Razorback" University of Arkansas Yearbook
Freshman - John James Comstock, Fayettevile.
File Unit Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
Record Group 64
John J. Comstock. Enlisted 30 of January 1942 as a Private. His state of resident, place of enlistment were an undefined code. He was born 1919. He had 4 years of high school. His Civilian occupation was Telephone Operator and he was single, without dependents.
Height: 65", Weight: 150 lbs.
Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR
22 Feb 1943
Lt. John J. Comstock has completed his officers candidate training in the Eastern Signal Corps school at Fort Monmouth, NJ, and his received his commission. He is the son of Mrs. K. M. Comstock, 433 N. Willow.
Letter from Jay dated 22 Nov 1998:
"Enlisted right after Pearl Harbor Jan 28 1942. Discharged Nov 26 1943. I was in the army signal corps (attached to the air corps part of the time). I went to Officers Candidate School and washed out the day before I was to graduate. I never got overseas and spent most of my time in California. I was discharged because of a blood pressure problem, and was in and out of the service before some of my friends were ever drafted. Pretty impressive wasn't it !!! However, it was a great learning experience for me. Enough said!"
Name: Comstock, John J
Serial Number: 17052422
Residence: 143, 71
Enlistment Place: 7117,
Enlistment Date: 30 January 1942
Grade Alpha: Private
Grade Code: Private
Branch Alpha: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Enlistment Term: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Longevity:
Source: Civil Life
Nativity: 71
Birth Year: 1919
Race and Citizenship: White, citizen
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Telephone Operator
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Army Component:
Card Number: 0245
Box Number: 2.102
Reel Number: 1633886
Jay had a companion - John Eldon Scott. They were together almost forty years in San Francisco. I have never known two kinder gentlemen.
Scotty, as we called him, was born 28 Nov 1917, Millville, Cache Co, Utah, and died 2 Mar 1989 in San Francisco. From his FindAGrave Memorial:
John Eldon Scott was the son of John William Edward and Hilma Olson Scott. He was born in Millville where his childhood and early school years were spent. After graduating from South Cache High School, he attended Utah State Agricultural College and graduated from LDS Business College in Salt Lake City. During his youth, he was involved in LDS Church and community activities. He served his country for three years during World War II. For fifty years he was a resident of San Francisco, California, where he worked as a Certified Public Accountant. Bio by Lee A. Hillard
Scotty was also cremated, but there is a military marker placed in the Millville City Cemetery.
John Eldon Scott
M.Sgt, US Army
World War II
Nov 28, 1917 Mar 2, 1989
LDS
Jay died of esophageal cancer. He was cremated; his ashes scattered in Golden Gate Park along with those of John Scott, on John Scott's marker in Utah, and also in Arkansas where his parents are buried.
Jay was a very special person to me. A father/older brother figure during the years my mother was divorced and we lived with her parents. Part of that time, he also lived in that blended household. He was always interesting and interested in me.
Jay wrote songs and poetry. He composed a song that was sung at his Memorial Service - it was more of a party for his friends and fellow church members.
I found the following in some of his papers - it is so like him.
A THANKSGIVING TO REMEMBER
The year was 1931. It was a cold Thanksgiving Day. An ice storm had swept into the Ozarks on Wednesday and left a wonderland of ice covered bushes and trees that sparkled and glistened in the morning sun. The frosted windows made everything into a fairy land.
The smell of sage dressing and cinnamon sprinkled on the pumpkin pie permiated every corner of the little two bedroom house.
It was a small house - but was home to a family of seven (with four boys and one girl ranging in ages four to nineteen) and on this holiday the anticipation of the big dinner was almost too much for the younger children to bear. Somehow, we felt that things were about to change.
Our mother had awakened early and was busy with last minute preparations. The chicken which was killed and plucked the day before was ready to fry. The home canned corn & green beans were brought up from the storm cellar. A pumpkin had been picked from the garden and made into two pies, and sausage gravy was boiling in the big iron skillet.
Finally the magic words. DINNER IS READY
Dad, who sat at the head of the table, had been forced to close his general store the wekk before and he was bankrupt. The Great Depression had a death grip on the whole nation. Like thousands of other men - Dad had no job - no money!! He felt that he had failed.
His eyes watched the faces of his wife & children!! And, while the younger children did not understand the gravity of the situation, the older ones knew that survival was at stake. Times would be hard.
As Dad started the prayer, Mother quietly reached for the hands of the ones next to her and they, in turn, reached for the hand next to them. A circle was formed - a seven-sided circle.
"Dear Father in heaven," Dad said in a soft, firm voice, "we offer thanks today for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us -- good health, the love of each other, and the promice of a better tomorrow. Amen"
Then almost as an afterthought, "God will provide."
Finally, Mother said, "Someone start the mashed potatoes," and quickly food was being passed around and laughter and love filled the room. Never were we closer or needed each other more. It was indeed a Happy Thanksgiving.
And there was a better tomorrow:
Dad found work - the children all grew into healthy adults and blessed Mother & Dad with nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Life was good and God did provide -- with help from our church, and friends & relatives.
About the time of that memorable Thanksgiving I ran across a poem that was sustained me in troubling times. For what it is worth - here it is.
I've said it over and over
To a mocking little tune
You can not saddle the wind
Or ride the rim of the moon.
You cannot capture a sunbeam
Or lasso a plumging star.
I have said it, but unbelievingly
Since Dreams are what they are.
Happy Dreams & Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Events
| Birth | 17 Jul 1919 | Uniontown, Crawford County, Arkansas |  | ||
| Military | 1944 | World War II (Coast Guard) | |||
| Death | 29 Jun 2006 | San Francisco, California |
Families
| Spouse | John Eldon Scott (1917 - 1989) |
| Father | KENNEY MARCUS COMSTOCK (1887 - 1958) |
| Mother | NORA LEE HAYS (1887 - 1973) |
| Sibling | Graydon Earl Comstock (1908 - 1983) |
| Sibling | Kenney Maurice Comstock (1914 - 2006) |
| Sibling | JOSIE ELLEN COMSTOCK (1916 - 2008) |
| Sibling | Ira Allen Comstock (1924 - 2021) |
Notes
FindAGrave - Utah Memorial
Placed by niece/nephew of John Scott.FindAGrave - Scotty
Scotty's MemorialEndnotes
1. Mary Jane Comstock, Compiler; Comstock-Haggard and Allied Families; (Chicago: Adams Press, 1973).
2. Interviews with Jo Ellen Comstock McKim; her personal knowledge and recollections., First hand knowledge.