Back in the summer of 2017, when Jami and Jason moved in across the street, I decided to be neighborly and drop off a "make your own sundae" kit. Jason had this hilarious response like, "Hey, bring us ice cream and we'll be instant friends!" Turns out, our girls, Ellie and Lydia, hit it off right away during their playdates. It wasn't long before we were all one big happy family—our crew with the Van Den Bogaert crew. We did everything together: birthdays, bonfires, hayrides, and trips to Silver Dollar City and Panama City Beach.

When I asked Lydia and Scarlett about their favorite memory of Jason, Scarlett mentioned how much she loved it when he tickled her, and Lydia loved the beach trips we all took together.

Jason was the best, always treating our girls like they were his own. Those memories are absolutely priceless. We'll miss him forever.

We met Jason when Cooper was 4 and wanted to try out soccer. Cooper was NOT easy to coach at that age, and after a tumultuous first season we decided not to pursue Spring soccer. Jason had reached out and we told him thank you but no. He was persistent and invited Cooper to play T-ball with him after the Spring season. From that point on, there was no one else for Cooper. He made Cooper feel important and a part of something.

We have spent the last 3 years playing with Jason and his son Gavin among others who followed Jason everywhere. Cooper didn’t even like basketball, but would do anything Jason asked of him.

When I told Jason that Cooper would be playing for USA this Spring he told me that he was proud of Cooper, but not to forget Cooper’s humble beginnings and that when he coached soccer again Fall 2024, he would just have to play both.

Jason was such a wonderful man. He was dedicated, compassionate, and driven. He made us a part of his family and we are forever grateful for our time with him.

Anyone who knew him was blessed.

Thundersharks forever. 🌩️ 🦈