EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso’s most well-known private investigator, Jay J. Armes, has died at the age of 92, his son, Jay J. Armes III, announced on Thursday, Sept. 19 via Facebook.
According to Armes III, his father passed “peacefully with his family surrounding him.”
Jay J Armes and Jay J Armes III. Photo credit to Jay J Armes III Facebook.
“Several years ago, I spoke with my father about death and how he wanted to be remembered. My father replied, ‘I don’t want a big service, or for anyone to be there staring at me in my casket. I don’t even want a long obituary. All I want my obituary to say is, ‘I did it my way.” Despite that sentiment, I feel it necessary to say a few words about my father. He was truly an amazing individual who lived an equally amazing life. And he most certainly did it HIS way.” read the Facebook post.
Armes was not only known for his work in the Sun City, but he was also asked to solve cases worldwide.
“My father went on to become one of the best, most recognized and most respected private investigators in the world. He spent his entire life working on seemingly impossible cases around the globe. As if that wasn’t remarkable enough, he was an actor, a successful businessman, a night club owner, a bodyguard, a security company operator, a deputy constable, a best-selling author, a magazine publisher, a two-term city councilman, a U.S. government security contractor, a wild animal trainer, a car enthusiast, father and proud grandfather,” Armes’ III said.
The community associates the “private eye” with his iconic billboard in Central El Paso near his dominating office and his mansion in the Lower Valley, where he raised multiple exotic animals, such as tigers and monkeys.
“Although my father will be missed, his impact on others and this world will last for many years to come. His legacy lives on through me, not merely as his son, but as his star pupil. As an international private investigator, trained by the man himself, I am proud to not only share his name but to carry on his life’s work through my own agency. I love you, Dad,” Armes III said.
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