Jason Jam

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jason David Jam on February 25, 2026, in Billings, MT, with his family by his side. He was 56 years old. 

Jason was born on May 26, 1969, to parents Phillip Michael and Jeannie Elaine (Krueger) Jam in Billings, MT. He spent his early years growing up in Ryegate, MT, having countless adventures with his four siblings. The family returned to Billings when Jason was in junior high, and he graduated from Billings Senior High in 1987. Jason and Wendy met in 1995, married a year later, and started a family in 1998. Jason’s daughters, Avery and Maisy, were the joy of his life, and he was a devoted, loving father. Jason was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary in December 2023. He battled cancer through radiation, chemo, and immunotherapy until his medical team discovered that it had metastasized to his brain in October of 2025, and at that time, he made the decision to enter hospice care. Many thanks to his Riverstone Hospice team for the professional and compassionate care that he received over his last months. 

Being the most prolific artist, Jason spent his career creating characters and designs as a screenprinter and game designer. He loved his work as a game designer and will forever be grateful to Fleetwood Gaming for giving him the opportunity to start a career in the field. His most recent job with IGT was a dream come true, and he would have loved to continue creating with his team for many more years than he was able. In his spare time, Jason continued to create cartoons, comics, horror art, landscapes, and portraits in pen and ink, sketches, watercolor, gouache and oil paintings, and honestly, any medium he could find. He once painted with the blackberry juice left over from his breakfast. He loved challenging himself to create as much as possible, completing several rounds of 100 drawings in 100 days. He showed his art in his studio gallery in the Carlin Building for many years, as well as in galleries around Billings and the state. He taught art to many students through the Summer Art Academy and various community classes. 

Jason made an impact on all who knew him, remembering him for his kindness, his humor, and his passion for art and the arts. 56 years is not enough, but our memories of him and all that he created will remain forever. 

Jason is survived by his parents, Mike and Jeannie Jam, his amazing daughters, Avery and Maisy Jam, his former wife and best friend till the end, Wendy Jam, his siblings, Cindy, Chris, Jeanna and Rachael, as well as countless extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and a community of friends that were like family and will miss him immensely. 

A memorial service will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Saturday, March 14th, at 11 am. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Yellowstone Art Museum or Kirk’s Grocery are greatly appreciated.