Jason Jam

I worked with Jason when I was a young man. Being a fellow artist we really clicked and he helped me more than he will EVER know. Our shared love for R Crumb comics and vintage retro art was fun to explore. He will be missed.

One of my favorite memories of Jason will always be prom night in High School. He showed up in a tux with Vans, eyeliner, and an X drawn on his temple—full Adam Ant style—almost giving my very Mormon father a heart attack. That was him: creative, fearless, and completely himself. And we all gravitated towards him and loved him for it. He was an incredible artist, and we’re so fortunate to have several of his works hanging in our home..he is a daily presence that always makes me smile. Jason was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed. Big Hugs and Love to Wendy, Maisy and Avery and all of Jason’s family. We are so lucky to have known him. He will be so missed.

Things that remind me of my brother-in-law Jason: Grace, Dignity, Courage ● Kindness, Simplicity ● Nature ● Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend ● Curiosity, Creativity, Art ● Seeking, Growing, Facing Fear ● Dogs ● Big Green Bullfrogs ● Apple pie, Mashed Potatoes, Orange Juice ● Beer, Peppers (especially the hot ones), Chocolate Covered Raisins ● Strawberries ( but only those fresh from the garden) ● LOVE, HUMOR ●

I clicked with Jason from the very first time we met. Rarely in my life have I met someone who brought so much laughter and warmth to every conversation. He gave generously of himself, a deeply sincere person who was always ready to offer whatever he could give. Deeply and naturally talented but also committed to the discipline required for excellence in his artistic pursuits. An engaging, entertaining, thoughtful conversationalist. So wickedly funny. It's a wonder we ever got any work done. And when we did, it never felt like work. I wish I'd met him sooner. What a great friend and colleague he was. I am so grateful for the time we did have.

I met Jason three years ago. He liked my corduroy pants with tiny, useless pockets. I liked his obvious intelligence, his sincere curiosity, that high-watt smile and the mischievous glint in his gorgeous eyes. He was such an impressive man. I haven’t ever met anyone like him. He possessed so many disparate and lovely traits – he was artistic and athletic, confident and humble, incredibly generous in giving love to those that deserved it. He could manage any environment with grace – hobnobbing at fancy dinners, connecting art fans at one of his gallery shows or chatting with a wheelchair-bound man living on the street. Jason learned that he had cancer shortly after we started dating. While daunting, his health challenges didn’t stop him from continuing to take the joy and pleasure that life offered him. I will always be grateful that he had the courage to leave Billings for Colorado Springs to pursue a relationship with me and to be closer to one of his two beloved daughters. It takes a special man to relocate for love. It takes a remarkable one, eager to savor all that life has left to offer, to do so when confronted with stage IV cancer. During the year he spent in Colorado, Jason used his phenomenal discipline to get through some difficult days. He had unmatched integrity and would always put in a full day of remote work before enjoying the things that life in a new environment presented him. He loved biking through the Garden of the Gods, playing and (mostly) winning at board games, hiking, going to art walks, spending time with Avery and, of course, drawing, painting and creating with all the new inspiration around him. He was (mostly) beating me at pickleball just two weeks before he entered hospice after his return to Billings. Jason told me from the beginning that, if his illness progressed, he wanted to return to Billings to die, surrounded by the community that loved him. While it was incredibly hard for me when he left, I was happy that he got to spend his last days at his family home, doing what was most important to him – creating art, loving and being loved. Jason’s impact on my life is immeasurable. He taught me so many things, including that you can add to your pile of loved ones without displacing anyone. I hope to keep his voice in my ear, reminding me that if I slow down and observe, the universe will point me in the right direction. His art on my walls will remind me of the depth of his feelings and the power of creativity to convey emotion. I told him that I didn’t want a tragic love story. He told me that all love stories have to end somehow. While our story may have ended, the love has not. Jason Jam is cemented in my heart. I only hope that the pain of losing him will gradually be replaced with gratitude for the love and energy he gave me and the memories of all the wonderful times we had together.