Jason Poe

Jason was a happy, very mellow baby; quick to sit, walk and talk. Oh, yes, could he talk early! Between age of 2-3 years Jason could sing all the verses of Alone Again Naturally by Gilbert O’Sullivan on his own without radio or help from me. Jason’s pitch and voice was apparent very early on. Jason and I were a tight pair after his biological Dad & I were divorced in early 1973. However, the blessing from this was Jason. At the age of five Mike Poe came into our life and we moved to Corvallis, Oregon in August 1975. In December of 1975 the three of us went to Idaho (Christmas) up through Portland and stayed the night with friends. There had been a party the night we were there and Jason roamed throughout the house. Leaving for Idaho the next day we stopped for lunch. Jason went to the rest room and returned to our table. Jason put his forehead in his hand and had a somewhat forlorn expression. I asked Jason are you okay? Jason’s response, “I’m feeling obnoxious”. Mike & I then came to the conclusion that Jason had been a very busy boy at the party and an adult had suggested this big word to him! Mike wanted to adopt Jason. Adoption proceedings began in 1977 and became final at the end of that same year. Jason became a big brother to Justin on November 5, 1976. Jase wore this new badge with honor & pride. February 1977 found us moving to Klamath Falls. Jason made immediate friends in school. When Jason became of age to serve as an Altar boy, he went through the training and began. Jason enjoyed serving for our beloved late Father Patrick J. Lunham. Jason’s best friend growing up on Hope Street lived just two doors from us. On Sunday mornings Jason was back at our house, showered and took the Nike express down to church to serve. When Jason was not scheduled, he still would go down and always checked in with Father Lunham in case he was needed and available to serve. Of note, when Father Lunham passed away but before his funeral, one morning Jason looked different upon awakening. I asked are you okay Jason? Jason stated; “Mom I heard a scraping noise on my window last night. I got up and looked outside, Father Lunham was there waving good bye to me”. Jason would come to me when at approximately age 8 and say, “Justin is making me do this or that”. My reply was; how does a two-year-old brother make his eight-year-old brother obey him? Jason’s reply; “Mom, I just love him so much I can’t say no. We know for sure as the boys grew up the dynamics changed and as parents it is on a need-to-know basis Twilight music theme intro heard at this time… Jason, had a real sense of presence to the “spirit” world. As Jason grew older, he became friends with many Native Americans. His nickname with them was Whitey. On a walk with tribal members through forest land, Jason asked who is beating on the drums? His Native friends realized his gift was in tune with their spirits too. On the night of December 15, 1986 Mike was hit by a car in front of our house. The boys were home but I was still at work. Jason (15) & Justin (9) heard an odd noise, knowing Mike had gone out to get our mail & paper they looked outside. Mike was a victim of a hit and run. Jason went immediately to the street and stood guard over Mike until the ambulance arrived. Father Lunham came to the house and brought the boys up to the hospital. Our lives changed completely and life was a struggle until we could adjust to the “new normal”. Jason graduated from Mazama High School in 1988.

After graduation Jason went to the Portland area for approximately 15 months but returned home. Went to work for Modoc Lumber where he enjoyed getting to know Ralph Beard. Jason thought the world of Ralph. In 1993 we received word that Jason biological Dad, Gene K. Adams had passed away at age 47 in Nampa, Idaho. Please know that Jason’s biological father passed away almost like Jason but at age 47.) We went to Idaho for Gene’ funeral services where Jason re-connected with the other side of his family. Jason met his other brother Cameron Adams. Justin & Cameron are 11 days apart. The brothers became friends and shared many happy times while Jason lived in Idaho. Jason was working for Jay Sprik , construction company that was mainly siding. A job was won & started on an apartment building in Des Moines, Washington. A lady, named Shannon Levick, lived in the apartment complex. Shannon initiated conversations with Jason, which moved into dinner invitations etc.etc. When the job was completed, the crew moved back to Idaho. Shannon quit her job and followed/pursued Jason to Idaho and a year later married in May 2003. They moved back to the Des Moines, Washington area and settled. Jason became employed by the school district where he worked up until 2015. Jason became a Seattle Seahawks fan to the maximum (four plus loads of laundry to clean his Seahawks clothing) and the Oregon Ducks too. However, their marriage dissolved in 2006. Jason was becoming more home sick and wanted out of the big town scene. He moved to Eugene where he worked for Joe & Michelle Iantorno in 2015. Joe and Jason’s friendship began in High School. Still Jason wanted to come home to Klamath Falls. Jason moved back to Klamath Falls in 2016. Jason’s less than favorable friends from the past, surfaced. Jason’s choices were not good and ended in trouble (big). It took awhile for Jason to get his “act” together and finally grow up. In the last five years Jason had done a very good job of eliminating some very questionable “friends” quote, unquote. Many “friends” Jason helped willingly and the help was returned but not all. To those who took advantage of Jason by not paying their fair share of rent, utilities or money loaned stressed Jason to his limits That being said it certainly stressed Mama Bear who never stopped being a very concerned mother and ached for Jason when he was in dire straits. Mike & I tried to be of help but when retired there are limits. Everyone knew that Jason ‘s addiction was obvious: food. In 2019 Mike & I made the decision to help Jason with weight surgery or we would lose him. Jason and I went off to Mexico in November of 2019., for the procedure. His surgery went very well, his weight dropped and Jason became so joyous and energetic. Jason looked awesome and would say I’m almost the same weight as Justin! His waist from 58 to a 38 When something was amiss in our house, electronic gadgets and or phones we’d ask for his help. Jason would arrive into our driveway with his music thumping & always what can I do or help with? You tube was his best friend to help him help us. Jason began working for Albertson’s in March 2020. Jason enjoyed his co-workers but he was happiest helping those he knew and making new friends. In March of 2021 Jason became romantically involved with Diana and Jase was so very happy. Jason said: “Mom get ready for a wedding this summer”. Jason stated that they were 97% compatible daily to Diana. When Jason looked at Diana the Christmas lights were brilliant in his face and eyes. The very last help I provided for Jason was to put his beloved Thor (pit bull) to sleep. I put into the mail a card to Jason with these words: Thor thanks you for letting him go over the rainbow bridge. His difficulties are no more. Thor is playing with Buddy & Gandor while they wait outside the gates of heaven to go in with us. How prophetic in nine days Jase left his earthly home and us; quietly, gently, peaceful. While Jason did not regularly attend Mass, the Catholic faith was firmly within his heart and soul. So…please tell your parents or children you love them unconditionally. May our loss encourage you to always say “I Love you”. Forgive as we all need to be forgiven.

Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our son and brother. But for certain he’s in a better place where he no longer hurts, emotionally, mentally or physically. The stresses of his life are over, no one can hurt him any longer. Jason told me often he could not tolerate my passing, that he would pass too. Jason won that race while what mother does not wish it was the opposite? Jason is in the arms of Jesus with my parents (Pa & Gram), his biological father Gene, Father Lunham, all waiting their turn to greet him. My prayer is that Jason lets Jesus receive me before he steps up and says,” that’s my Mommy I’ve got it from here”. So let us rejoice that Jason now knows the mysteries and soon will walk the golden streets of the new & eternal Jerusalem.

With just one more look at you Baby Bear…we will miss those baby blue eyes, that brilliant smile and impish grin. Until it is our time…

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church on Friday June 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will precede the Mass at 10:30 AM. Following a reception at the church, concluding services will be held at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.