JASON ROBERTS JENNINGS passed away August 19th 2023 in Ventura County near the ocean that he loved. “Jaybird”, as he was known, was born March 29th 1972, in Las Vegas, the middle child of five boys born to Michael and Julie Jennings. Raised on Hibbits Street Jason always stood above the crowd in how he put his heart out there and refused to compromise his values. Jason attended Decker Elementary School, Cashman Middle School, and E.W. Clark High School. Jaybird was very close to his grandmother, Sue Thompson, the legendary singer who recorded albums with Columbia Records and sang at the Grand Ole Opry. He spent a lot of time with “Grandma Sue” enjoying music and art and nurturing his natural creative spirit. 

Jaybird loved the subcultures of music and clothing and art in the 1980s and became a leader in the scene of artists, punks, and creatives. Jaybird was welcoming and encouraging to his many friends and was always ready to laugh loud or fight hard together in defense of his closely held value of friendship and loyalty. His remarkable spirit still holds strong in these circles today and his artistic soul will continue to be honored by every street kid that ever sat in an alley with a vespa and smoked a clove with Jaybird.

As much as he loved his friends he also loved animals and regularly defended their rights in both public protests and in his vegetarian lifestyle. He was uniquely connected to both pets and wild animals and could build compassionate and deep connections with any critter who was lucky enough to find him.

At 19 years old Jason put aside the adventures of youth and committed himself to serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Johannesburg South Africa. The beauty of the land, the animals, and its people left a lasting impression on Jason and he worked the rest of his life to value community over the consumerism of America.

Jason's idealism, work ethic, and ability to carve his own path is represented in his feature length film PUSH that he brought from script to screen as writer, director and lead actor. A talented visionary Jason was inspired by the snow and the beauty of nature to tell the story of friendship and commitment to courageous integrity. The experience of PUSH represented the best of Jaybird as he always seemed to make the impossible possible through his intellect, charm, and inspiring demeanor.

Jason married Kami Steele on August 13th 1994, though their union was short lived their love for each other remained as they sought lives apart 9 months later.

Jason became an art student on scholarship in 2001 at the Pasadena Art Center college of Design where he developed a unique friendship with local artist Slyvia Stolzberg. Sylvia and Jason connected right away and they brought light and energy and undying friendship to each other's lives and the entire Stolzberg family in their home in the Pasadena hills.

Jason was easy to fall in love with, his dimpled smile and gentle manner were magnetic, and that's just what happened when he met his wife Alicia Thomas in 2003. Married July 26th 2008 in Newport Beach California,  they cared for and protected each other every day for 20 years. Though Jason and Alicia longed for children, they were unable to achieve the large family they hoped for. What they had instead was deep love of their dog Koa, their cat Ashley and the city and friendships they built in Los Angeles. Jaybird and Alicia could often be seen at a picnic at the beach in their Westfalia camper van, great music turned up loud and their positive energy drawing a crowd.

Jason always spoke his mind, first as a young punk in the 1980s but gradually shifting later to a classic liberal advocating for democratic ideals. He was always dedicated to helping the poor and especially the homeless. Towards the end of his life Jason was working on a large scale art installation that would provide jobs and mental health support to the un-housed in Los Angeles' skid row and represented the true commitment Jason had for those struggling with a mental health condition.

Jason promoted courage. The reason people loved him was how brave you felt around him. Anything was possible, and it was possible today. Jason loved to create little moments, what you thought was just an average day was suddenly extraordinary when Jaybird was around. Captured on his camera or in a little cartoon, the tiny things were never missed and somehow became beautiful in his presence. Jason especially loved Christmas and he and Alicia built the tradition of going to Bishop California and eating Chinese food in a cheap motel room and going to thrift stores each December. It didn't take much to make them happy as long as they were together.

Jaybird was kind and emotional with friends and even if there could be long stretches of silence, those closest to him always knew the love for each other was there and continues on today. A talented artist, his work will live on and celebrate his unique and adventurous life.

Survived by his wife Alicia Jennings, Mother Julie Jennings, Father Michel R. Jennings, Brothers Chandler Jennings (wife Laia), Troy Jennings (wife Jade), Joey Jennings (wife Autumn) and Casey Jennings (wife Kerri) with nieces and nephews, Dallas Jennings, Juliana Jennings, Joey Michael Jennings, Shane Jennings, Sundance Jennings, Paden Jennings, and Scout Jennings. Step nieces and nephews Daisy, Dillon, Colton, and Isabella as well as the Thomas, Welsh, and Penny families. Jaybirds life will be celebrated on Saturday September 23rd 2023 from 5-7pm in Las Vegas Nevada at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 6601 West Twain Avenue Las Vegas Nevada 89103. For those unable to attend or seeking an authentic manner to celebrate Bird's life a beach celebration is being planned in California later in the fall. Details will be shared when they are determined. 

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