Dr. Jay L. Ernst, DC

Dr. Jay Ernst, 65, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away September 21, 2026, surrounded by family. 

Jay was born February 4, 1961 to Pat and Loyd Eugene Ernst. He attended Drumright High School, Class of 1979, where he played football and baseball. He completed the Vo-Tech carpentry program from 1978 to 1979. After high school, Jay worked in the oil field for several years, working his way up to operator of double and triple derrick. He attended Northeastern State University for undergraduate studies from 1983 to 1986, working in the oil fields during the summers to pay for school. He went on to attend Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas from 1985 to 1989. He graduated on the Dean's Honor List and was awarded recognition for Outstanding Merit and Accomplishment in Radiology. Dr. Ernst started his chiropractic practice in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1989. He dedicated many years to his profession, helping to administer the Oklahoma State Board of Chiropractic Examination. He was appointed to the Oklahoma Board of Chiropractic Examiners by Governor Brad Henry, where he served two four-year terms. He was a member of the Shawnee Lions Club. He medically retired in 2017 to 2018. 

On October 5th, Jay and his wife Lisa would have celebrated 25 years of marriage. He lived in the country with his loving wife Alisa "Lisa" Plumlee Ernst and his daughter Ashley Anne "Punkin" Ernst Gray. Together, he and Lisa raised cattle throughout their entire marriage. Jay loved life and loved doing everything with Lisa. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, water and snow skiing, riding four-wheelers and go-carts on the farm and then taking a dip in the pool to cool off. Ashley Anne went along on most of these adventures. His adventures with family included gold mining in Alaska and taking his family to Israel where he was baptized in the Jordan River. Faith was central to Jay's life. For many years, Jay and his family were part of the drag boat racing community. Larry and Linda Smiley were the chaplains for Racers for Christ where they boat raced. They held services on Sunday and prayed over each driver before getting in the water. The family became very attached to them for their unique and wonderful spiritual qualities. They came to Jay's home shortly after he lost his first wife to brain cancer and were a soothing comfort. Years later, when Jay had a heart attack, Lisa was crying alone in a room at Mercy, having told no one, and suddenly Linda Smiley appeared standing right in front of her. At that moment, Lisa said she knew God had sent Linda and that everything was going to be okay. Jay raced drag boats for many years, winning championships in the Central States and Southern Drag Boat Associations and winning numerous races in the Top Eliminator and Pro Gas Jet classes. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing at Lake Texoma with his wife Lisa. At home, he loved feeding the turkeys and deer, watching for Howard and Bernadette, their seasonal pet turtles who came around every spring for over ten years, and loving on his fur babies who were part of the family.

Jay was preceded in death by his wife, Sonya Lynn Ernst in 2000, his father Loyd Eugene Ernst in 2020, mother-in-law Anna Beth Southern Graves in 2025 and his brother Craig Ernst in 1957. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Alisa Plumlee Ernst; his daughter, Ashley Anne Ernst Gray and family; his mother, Pat Ernst; his parents-in-law, Ken and Evelyn Plumlee;  stepmother, Linda Ernst; father-in-law, Bob Graves; his brothers and sisters and their families, Sue Ann Jack and family, Kay Sciullo and family; his sister Jennifer (Luis)Lopez; his brother Nick (Rachel)Legler; his nieces Angela Gutierrez, Krystal (Tray)Clark, Victoria Gutierrez; his great-nieces and nephews Julianna Fuentes, Trayvon, Aubrey and Amaya Clark, and Messiah and Ivory Parker whom he adored dearly like his own children; his daughter Shannon (Tony) Craft Seale; and his sister-by-mail Leslee and Johnny Hyde, along with many friends, colleagues, patients, and fellow racers. 

Services will be held at Riley-Walker Funeral Service Chapel Sunday September 27, 2026 at 2:00pm.

The family kindly asks that when sending flowers/plants that you use House of Flowers (405) 273-1852, no tree plantings to be arranged.