Jay Engel, 55, formerly of Atlanta, passed away unexpectedly from an ongoing medical condition on March 6, 2026, at his home in Carrollton, GA.

Jay was born in Atlanta, GA, on July 13, 1970, to Dr. John Engel and Pat Engel. He attended Holy Innocents' Episcopal School and graduated from The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, Class of 1989, where he made many lifelong friends. Jay loved his Longhorns and graduated with honors from the University of Texas, Austin, where he joined Phi Gamma Delta. He received his medical degree from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX, and completed his Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.

After much thought and consideration, and making his parents very happy by ignoring the lure of Colorado, Jay returned to his home state, where he began his medical career as an ER physician at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, GA. Jay and Bunchie began a family with the births of their beloved daughters, Emma (2003) and Hollis (2004). Loved and respected by his colleagues at Tanner, Jay had a very successful 17-year career as an ER physician before transitioning to family medicine at the US Med Clinic, close to his home. He truly enjoyed the slower pace and the opportunity to get to know his patients that family medicine provided, as well as the occasional chance to bring his best friend, Lucy (Yellow Lab), to work, which brought much joy and comfort to his patients.

When Jay was growing up, he, his dad, and his brothers shared many interests. From skiing, hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, scuba diving – anything outdoors - they loved. He loved living on the Chattahoochee River with his Brandon Hall "River Rat" friends, and he especially loved the beach vacations at Hilton Head and ski trips out West with close family friends. Jay and his family shared many happy times at the cabin on Lake Sinclair, and later at their house on Lubbers Quarters Cay in the Abacos, until Hurricane Dorian, Sept. 1, 2019, when their vacation home was flattened. The remaining residents had no water, no electricity, and very little shelter, sharing with each other in community and fellowship. With cousins and friends, Jay spent long hours getting the property ready for rebuilding, and, of course, they all enjoyed their time together!

Throughout his tenure in Carrollton, Jay gained a reputation as an active member of the Carrollton community. He cherished his friends, neighbors, and patients - anyone who knew him will tell you that he never met a stranger! Watching and cheering his daughters play D1 sports while excelling in college brought him great joy, and he was particularly excited and proud that both are choosing to follow in his and his father's footsteps in healthcare careers. Jay loved frequent fishing adventures to Gulf Shores, trips to horse meets for Emma, beach volleyball matches for Hollis, and returning to the quiet life of Carrollton, living close to the square. He especially loved walking up to the Amp for summer concerts and sharing a beer with friends at Local Ties.

Jay is preceded in death by his father, John Engel. He is survived by his mother, Pat; daughters, Emma and Hollis; former wife and friend, Bunchie; brothers, Brennen and Ryan (Blakely); and nephews, James and William.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Carroll County Animal Shelter, 251 Automation Dr., Carrollton, GA 300117, the Rapha Clinic of West Georgia – A Place of Healing (medical and dental help for those in need), 253 East Hwy 78, Temple, GA 30179 (https://www.raphaclinic.org), or Captains for Clean Water, PO Box 1653 Ft. Myers, FL 33902 (https://captainsforcleanwater.org).

The memorial service will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 606 Newnan St., Carrollton, GA 30117. Please join the family at a reception immediately following the service: Sunset Hills Country Club, 1 Club Dr., Carrollton, GA 30117.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.