The youngest of the six children of J. C. and Mae Ross Leavell, Jay was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on May 8, 1921.  He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1939, and while there was involved with the Lanier band and with his dance band, called the "Yachtsman."

Jay attended the University of Alabama, but was called away during World War II.  He later finished his studies at the University of Alabama in Montgomery.  Jay married Josephine Winston Krebs, and they were the parents of four children who are all Lanier graduates:

Winston "Windy" Jay Leavell, Lanier Class of 1969

Candice "Candy" Louise Leavell (Strickland), Lanier Class of 1971

Tracy Ross Leavell (Sellers),  Lanier Class of 1983

Wiley Ogletree Leavell, Lanier Class of 1984

Jay was a frequent contributor to "The Montgomery Independent" and he enhanced the City of Montgomery with his artistic, poetical, theatrical, and architectural talents.  Some of his works may be found in his books, including his Montgomery Sketch Book, which was published in 1978, and Jay's Montgomery Remembered that was compiled and published in 1986 by his wife, Jo Leavell Fleming.

Jay passed away on December 29, 1983.