In Honor of a Friend

I went to college with some crazy, passionate kids. Jason Young was one of them. We both transferred in the fall of 1998 and I’m sure crossed paths, but I didn't start getting to know him until the next fall. As Resident Assistants together from 1999-2000, we struggled to balance the needs of our stairwells, our walk with God and studying. I remember crazy history study sessions in Jason's apartment; he was passionate about knowing and getting things right. As RA's we came up with a theme for our year of service as RA's and Jason was instrumental in guiding us towards and choosing Romans 12-offering our lives in service on campus. This picture is from an RA retreat we took together in the Colorado mountains, close to Estes Park maybe. While everyone else is doing something weird, Jason has his backpack and is looking normal.

It's a picture of a picture....sorry about poor quality. We played hot seat on the retreat. Everyone took a turn being on the hot seat while everyone else fired questions at you that you had to honestly answer. We ate and laughed well that weekend.

Another fun RA memory, a camping trip in the rain. I think we were learning that you can make a sort of taffy when you overwork marshmallows. See the stringy, goopy white stuff we're playing with?

We constantly teased Jason because he was older than most of us. This did not necessarily make him more mature than us, but definitely gave us the right to tease him about being old. He took it well. In fact, I remember countless times that Jason was the willing driver for the extra large 15 passenger van that we took everywhere. He wasn't a complainer. Greg and Jason got along well. Somebody's butt was always hanging out the window. Remember the crazy finger caught in the window game they would play?! One would stick his hand or fingers in the open window and the driver who had the controls would try to catch their fingers by closing the window unexpectedly.

This was a day spent away from campus at the Denver Airport, before airports were basically closed off and no fun. We ran around the terminal and looked for staff that was dressed up. We had good teams that year and Jason was a good leader and RA for his residents. He cared about their lives, he encouraged community and he kept fun alive. He made it look easy.

Disco inferno was fun because we all dressed up and it became a big dance party.

The next year we were Assistant Resident Director's with Joy. A threesome, we made a pretty good team. Jason kept us organized, functioning on time and computer savvy. I remember discussions with him about what we learned at church each Sunday. He was passionate about God and willing to dig deep into the questions and how it applied to our lives. He cared about the RA's he worked with and led spiritually. He bought a travel Bible for Merrell when she went to Namibia. He loved cuddling with Nettie and the Breeser's dogs.

I thought my car had broken down one day and finally asked Jason to take a look at it, even though I could tell he was sick of helping everyone out with car problems. He was gracious and very willing to take a look at it. We discussed what I had already tried and what could be the problem. Finally Saturday rolled around when we both had time to look at it. Jason gets in, gives it a couple of tries, and, it starts! I had parked on a slope, and had been low on gas. I hadn't pumped it enough to get the gas moving....and Jason knew to try that. I felt like an idiot, but was so thankful for Jason's knowledge and willingness to help when it came to cars.

Jason was passionate about being outdoors and took many of us rock climbing and rappelling. His patience and teaching made it fun even when you didn't know what you were doing. He loved cooking and shared that with his friends. He bought me flowers one time when I had a crappy weekend. He laughed heartily and loved having a motorcycle. We even tried a foursome of tennis, but realized quickly that some of us were too competitive (probably Luke and I) and that it wasn't that good for our friendship. Jason would have gone every Sunday night to play with Merrell and I.

When Joy moved to Tennessee, I hoped they would hook up. Not long after the summer I remember telling Joy that if Jason wasn't going to pursue her, she should move on. They weren't dating and engaged too much longer. Some crazy fiddle story. I missed the wedding because I was in Africa, but when I came home I spent a week with them in TN before camp got fully underway. A big house to remodel was not daunting to them. Their marriage was an example to me; I could tell they loved each other in tangible, small ways that made a big difference.

Jason was giving and kind. generous and sweet. He loved Jesus and others well.

He passed away on February 10. He will be missed.