Jason Gladden - Online Memorial Website

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Jason Gladden
Born in United States
32 years
185406
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Laura Cook

I first met Jason at the Owens Valley Laboratory near Bishop, California, in the summer of 1997.  We spent three weeks there together mapping geology.  We both had the same major at Stanford, though Jason was a year ahead of me.  Through the day, we would map, one of us walking behind the other along a contact or a fault.  The most memorable formation we mapped was the Poleta Folds, a beautiful, exposed series of faulted and folded blue, gold, green and orange sediments.  Typically, we would hike, carrying our clipboards and a mass of unshelled sunflower seeds in one cheek (hands-free sunflower seed consumption was a trick I learned from Jason).  Jason was better at mapping than I was.  I honestly don’t think I would have done very well in that class at all had Jason not coached me through the first few days of using a Brunton compass and plotting three-dimensional features on a two-dimensional map.  My spatial visual skills just weren’t very good back then.  Jason never seemed to mind helping or teaching, though.  In the evenings, we would typically stay up after everyone had gone to bed.  We would talk about music, politics, the military, relationships, God….Jason could talk about anything.  He was so articulate, insightful, intelligent, and compassionate.  We had so much fun together.  I have so many vivid and wonderful memories of those three weeks.  When we returned to Stanford, we saw much less of each other.  He and I were busy with our separate lives, which took us down very different paths.  After field camp, my best memories of Jason were related to my wedding.  Jason came to a co-ed bridal shower that my friends threw me and gave me two Christmas stockings...one with a Winnie-the-Pooh on it for me and a Tigger one for my husband.  Those stockings hang on our mantle every Christmas.  Jason was also the first person I saw when I came through the sword arch on the stairs of the Naval Academy Chapel after my wedding.  I was really moved that he flew from the west coast just a few days before Christmas to be there.  I can still see his smiling face, that smile that so many people have described so well on this website.  Jason and I weren’t good about keeping in touch after college.  I was shocked and deeply saddened to find this memorial site when I was looking to contact Jason again.  I was expecting to find something, anything else.  My prayers are with Jason’s family and friends.  Your loss is unfathomable.  Jason was an amazing man with unlimited potential. 

Cindy Hou
Jason was one of my housemates in Redwood Shores, CA during the dot com bust.  I have many fond memories of staying up all night killing zombies with him on Playstation.  We had a ritualistic weekend of eating ridiculous quantities of costco meat and playing video games.  Since our rooms shared a wall, we would blast each other with music on a regular basis.  Once, the whole room started shaking and I remember thinking "my god, what is he doing over there?  i think he's got me beat on this one" only to find out that it was actually an earthquake. J, we miss you, but somehow we know you are rockin' on up there too.
Danielle L Russo
Me: "You be him, I'll be her,"
Jason: "I'm him."
Me:  "I'm her."

It was a line from one of our favorite movies starring Parker Posy; one we often recited to each other during various key moments throughout the day.

Jason would come to my house in Palo Alto to pick me up, but I would never answer the door. Instead, he would be left downstairs to chat up my parents. I cannot place his outfit exactly in my mind now, but he would be wearing something akin to: kaki shorts offset by a bright Hawaiian shirt, tennis shoes, and white socks.

I would come down the staircase wearing a black dress and pearls; Jason would be talking to my step-dad about particle physics. He would look at me, and say: "Well, now I have to take you somewhere nice!"

"You be him, I'll be her," I'd take his arm. Even though my car was of a fancier model, Jason always insisted on driving. And, at that time, he drove a black Honda Civic with Washington plates. The same car he first taught me to drive in. He opened my door. "I'm him." We'd take that Civic right up to the front of the restaurant for valet, and laugh about it being parked with all the snooty Jaguars and Porches. "I'm her."

We'd eat. Jason and I shared a love of food. He always ordered desert and coffee after the meal even when I said I didn't want any. We’d talk life. Politics. Religion. Jason would make fun of me, calling me a "granola-eating hippie."  I would protest and try out a clever defense but Jason's arguments were so thoroughly thought-out and well researched that the game usually ended in a bout of friendly name-calling. "Don't put me in a box!" he would say. Or, "You’re putting me in a box again, Danielle." Or, "Help! I'm stuck in a box!" Clawing at the air in front of his face.

After dinner we would pick the Civic up from valet and drive it to the bookstore where it could be parked in the more modest outside parking lot to socialize with the less pretentious and more down to earth cars. In the bookstore, Jason and I would get lost in our own private worlds for an hour or so under the philosophy section. "Have you read 'The Four Loves,'' he would ask.

"Love is a decision," he would say. "It is an action."

I once asked him what I should do when life started to feel hopeless, and this is what he told me:

He said, "Every day I write a list of all the things I am grateful for in life, and I think about these things, and in this way I can get through the day even when I am feeling sad or depressed."
Randy Hays
It was in the early nineties and I had witnessed an emerging quarterback who turned the corner, accelerated up the field, and when tackled was always going forward. "Finally a great veer quarterback at Prairie I thought." His passes were not artistic, yet they were accurate. On defense he played linebacker, an unusual and crazy combination, QB and LB, "that's crazy" I thought. After the game, I remember Coach Hill making complimentary comments to the smiling and proud parents. In the classroom he was even more phenomenal. Very bright, a leader, with high goals and a work ethic to match. His achievements in high school were huge. I remember my mom and dad describing the awards day as "The Jason Gladden Show". Over the years I heard about great achievements: Pac 10 wrestler("too short" I thought) , Stanford grad, start up company programmer. I also heard some heartaches and witnessed steadfast parent loyalty. When I read Jason gave the shirt off his back for friends, I remembered dad giving the shirt off his back for that kid! I will also remember hearing of his passing. I was driving and heard this from my own son. I was stunned and saddened, truly a loss which is hard to accept. I pray for his family and friends today. I think I will try to find a copy of Kirschner's "When Bad Things Happen to Good People."
The Holy Terrors

The Holy Terrors was a secret name of a group of high school girls from Prairie High School (we also went to Crossroads Youth Group together).  Knowing that we wanted to have good, honest, clean fun, we needed to come up with something to do on the weekends.  Out of that need came some of the most fun memorable times of our lives.  We decided to prowl around in the middle of the night and Tee Pee some of our guy friends’ cars and houses.  You may be thinking, "Oh sweet high school girls, innocently tee-pee-ing their friends as a cute little joke."  NO, NO, NO - we plastered their cars, houses, and yards with toilet paper, pancakes, noodles, and, on occasion, saran wrapped their cars to trees, etc, etc, etc.  We always left a clue in poetry written on an empty toilet paper roll (our trademark).  On many occasions we almost got caught, but we actually never did.  One of the houses we frequented was Jason's (or should we say, Bill and Dawn's - sorry if we caused you any trouble!!!) and he was the one who came closest to figuring us out.  One night, we were all dressed in black, with black make up all over our faces, so not to be seen, but Jason must've been waiting for us.  He heard us, jumped up out of bed, ran into the garage, hopped into his truck and peeled out of the driveway - only as he was leaving his property, he took a huge chunk out of his parent's lawn.  And we were expert hiders - he didn't track us down!      

 

We all had a blast with Jason and he will always hold a dear place in our hearts.

 

Confessing Publically For The First Time Ever,

Shannon Chambers, Charity Murphin, Kristi Pietz, Shannon Wyckoff, Kelly Brady, Kelly Jones, and Jen Thomas

 

Kristi (Pietz) Rogers

I have so many great memories of Jason, I don't even know where to begin.  I met Jason on our first day of 8th grade.  I was the ASB President (at Hockinson), so it was my job to show the new kids around - and I got paired up with him.  Of course, I thought he was super cute - and then I got to know him and realized he was extremely smart, a great athlete, and a wonderful friend.  So we started going out (that's actually what you called it back then) - although we really didn't go anywhere unless our parents took us.  We ended up dating for 2 1/2 years, and then after that we were genuinely great friends.  Some of the memories I have of Jason seem so random and menial to write about, but they stand out in my mind because in those menial moments, he truly impacted my heart.  In 8th grade, I was a volleyball player, and Jason would always write me little "good luck" notes with some cute little picture on it.  Also in 8th grade, we figured out that we both wanted to be high school valedictorian.  So we decided to have a friendly competition to see who could get the most "A's".  We worked extremely hard - in fact, most of our time together was spent doing homework.  I would bribe Jason to explain something complex to me (because he was so smart back then too) - and in return, he always wanted me to make him Mac-n-Cheese (his favorite at the time).   As it turned out, he got all "A's", and I got mostly all "A’s'"… and 2 "B's" - and he loved to rub it in (nicely, of course).  One time, we went snow-skiing with his parents.  He liked skiing, but I just got tired of being cold.  So, I decided that I would go hot tubbing by myself to warm up (in the outdoor hot tub) - only I made the mistake of dipping my head into the water and then sitting out there for hours.  When Jason was done skiing, he came over to get me and realized that my hair was completely frozen - and he could not stop laughing and teasing me!  In high school, we were Japanese class partners and he just got the biggest kick out of trying to fake people out - like we could really speak fluent Japanese.  During high school, a bunch of us from Prairie attended the Crossroads Church Youth Group - and it was here that Jason gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ.  He got baptized at summer camp, and that was a real blessing to be able to witness.  At one point in my life, I was being rebellious and not having an upright relationship with the Lord, and Jason, being such a caring friend, wrote me a note and at the bottom of it, he gave me this verse:

Phil 1:6

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

We exchanged that verse back and forth a few times, and every time we exchanged it, I know we were both glad to have friends around us who truly cared about our relationship with the Lord. 

After I got married, Jason stopped by Nick's and my house to show us his

new boat, so a bunch of us went out on the water and had a blast together.  He was a great friend during many seasons of my life.

I miss him and will always treasure the memories I have.  I am so thankful that he loved the Lord and I will take comfort in knowing that he is in heaven with Him. 

 

 

 
Randy Fleury

Jason was the type of person people aspire to.  He emulated what is great about America…anything is possible if you want it bad enough!

 

I only started working with Jason in the past six months.  Loads of talent and ambition and a lot of fun, is how I think of him.  It was my observation that he took great pride in his roots, his way of life.  Work hard, play hard, live large!  There was no pedigree for Jason, no putting on airs, just a straight forward, get after it, show them what we can do attitude.  In a short time he did a lot for this company and he helped a lot of people get better. 

 

Who was this guy that started throwing paper in the warehouse and a year later was driving a number of the most strategic initiatives of the company?  How does this happen?  You have to know Jason Gladden to know how it happens.

 

It was clear Jason touched people, he made a difference in their lives, and work will be less fun and less rewarding without him.

 

Jason was special and he will be missed by Stylecraft.

 

Ryan Barnes
One can not truly articulate what a remarkable, genuine, loving human being that was Jason Gladden.  You have helped shape me in meaningful ways and it is through my memories that you will continue to guide and support.  You were my friend, teammate and brother and I will miss you dearly.  May you continue to explore the stars and tread your own path in heaven.  
Malyna Schmitz
    I only got to meet Jason probably once when I was a little baby, but I don't have any memories of him at all , but I do know that everyone who was near to Jason knew he was a very loving, caring, out going kind of person.  Jason's memories will forever fill every person's life with love and warm memories foreve, and his smile will never leave any persons mind.  He was a very special person to have so many people to love and care for him.  My prayers shall forever be with him and his family.  May he rest in peace.

Love always,
Malyna Schmitz
Scott Chapman
I don't have many word to tell you all about Jason right now, but I will offer up this as a placeholder. It's hard for me to explain what he meant to me. He was more than a best friend. And he was more than anyone could ask to have as a best friend.


My Friend, Our Friend

What was is a mirror looking forward
Standing proudly with shoulders slightly shrugged
The lines drawn from care and compassion
Half looking back to make sure we understand

High up in the hills of Machu Picchu
The wind carries forth from his breath
Straight it is carried over Granada
Resting for a moment on the Volga banks

A single coyote barks with lonely wails
The children, my children will never know
They will never see his smile and grace
A replacement of what was true and real

Seeing always, remembering always in time
But the pain resides and a world mourns
I can hear the Valkyries calling out
And we see him sitting with our Lord

The deer have come out of their hiding
Snorting in honor and stamping their feet
The Sierras pause for a moment of silence
A cold breeze passes over once again

What it must be like talking with Aristotle
Two great minds engaged as you do
I wonder if he’s a match for your precision
Likely you will make certain of Heisenberg

Forces working through something unsaid
Do not forget to look upon us
Because we will not forget to think of you
And what would he have done, remains

Always willing to spend his time
In a cause he thought worthy
Mostly us because that was his way
Obvious and intentional he showed us love

He carried us when we needed him
He listened to us in our worry
He saw us with empathetic eyes
He is the type of man I want my son to be

Go gently into that good night
For we will carry you on now
A stream of tears flows from me
But the strength of your heart fills mine

And that is all we need for one more step
Be well my brother, my friend, our friend
The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation
And yet you have lived more than any one man.



Scott Chapman to his best friend Jason Gladden - January 16, 2008
Shawn Harmon

"Harmon, get in the cart." "Huh?" "Get in the cart." "Hell no." "Headley, get in the cart."

 

It was our freshman year and Zack and I, among others, had been taken under the proverbial wing of Chappy and Gladden.  We were little brothers, family by the bond of occasional blood and countless pounds (and tenths of pounds) of sweat under a shared banner. On this night we had made our way to Secret Safeway, Headley and I crammed into the bed of Chap's undersized white truck with his stinky wetsuit and sundry unidentified odors, Scott and Jason up front with the music up loud. It was on arrival that Zack trusted enough to climb into the shopping cart.

 

With that, Jason grabbed the handle, as innocent as a mother gathering groceries...

 

and took off on a dead sprint across the empty parking lot, a good 20 yards...

 

and let go.

 

Zack, careening across the pavement, spotted the approaching curb and made a quick decision. In one deft movement he secured his beige cowboy hat, posted one hand on the edge of the cart and hopped out, beginning his sprint mid-air. On contact his knees buckled, then scraped; the cowboy hat flew, then landed; and Jason Gladden erupted into that laugh, that eternal laugh, the one Suzanne described so well below. I can still hear it.

 

We'll miss you, Jason.

Rod Maynard

My memories of Jason go back to when I coached him in the football program at PHS.  As a freshman he told me he would be the starting outside linebacker the next year.  I tried to be kind, as it did not seem likely.  Prairie had a successful program with good players.  I was wrong.  Jason started that year as well as the next 2 years.  His senior year he not only played that position but was also the starting QB - a difficult combination.  Jason performed at a high level.  I admired his intelligence and his ability to set goals and achieve his ambitions.  Thank you, Jason. 

 

Coach Maynard   

Camille Martin

This is a memory of my 3 year old, Kamryn.  Aunt Dawn is Kamryn's favorite person, she looks forward to seeing her and if Aunt Dawn is around she wants all of Aunt Dawn's attention for herself.  Kamryn hadn't seen Jason since she was a baby and didn't remember meeting him. When he was visiting for Christmas we were on our way to meet Dawn and Jason for lunch and I was explaining to her who Jason was, and that Dawn was his mom.   She didn't like the idea of having to share Aunt Dawn that day.  So she met Jason and glared at him for a minute and told Aunt Dawn "Me no like him".  This only lasted for a couple of minutes, Jason won her over by sword fighting with their french fries together, being silly with her, giving her a big bag of presents, and buying her rides at the mall.  Jason kept tickling Kamryn's belly and yelling get in my belly, and he had her laughing hysterically.  She decided that she liked him a lot.

Carl Peterson
One of the best things I remember about Jason is that saying hello always came with a smile and a laugh...it didn't matter whether it had been a week, month or even a year since we'd seen each other, or what had gone on in between, or if we even had anything funny to laugh about...the smile and laughter was always there to greet me, no doubt about it...and it's a smile and laugh none of us will ever forget...your friends will miss you Jason, but we'll look forward to you greeting us with a smile and a laugh when we meet again.
Chris Burtnett

I had the pleasure of knowing Jason for only six months.  I was introduced to Jason through his good friend, and my High School classmate, Scott Chapman.  Jason and Scott celebrated the 4th of July with my family and I in Newport Beach.  I remember Jason telling me about all of the adventures he and Scott had all over the world.  Jason and I bonded instantly, sharing football and fishing stories.  I know that he loved his hunting and fishing excursions and we had planned on doing some fishing together on Irvine Lake.  I can tell you that Jason was a "gentle giant" and a "true gentleman".  I wish I was able to spend more time with Jason, but I know he's in heaven catching "the big one" with God.  I'd like to give the Gladden family my deepest regards and let them know how much Jason will be missed.

 

Regards,

 

Chris Burtnett

Brian Slaughter

Jason Gladden was one of the toughest Wrestlers I have ever known.  I wrestled for Mountain View High School at the 178lb. weight class and I remember that Jason wrestled at the 168lb. weight class for Prairie.  He creamed one of our best wrestlers!  Guys feared having to wrestle him.

 

I also remember Jason from a high school Youth Group Church Retreat that we went to through Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver, WA.  He was an inspiration to me because he was willing to go forward to the alter and humble himself before God.  This inspired me to go forward as well.  It was rare to find someone so popular in school yet so humble.  I have no doubt that Jason is with God.  Although he will be missed I believe he is in a better place.

 

 

David Contreras
Jason, I remember rolling my eyes and chuckling to myself whenever you would walk by my office singing to yourself... "Why does he sing so much?" I would ask myself. But I think you would answer: "Why not sing?". I remember trying not to laugh out loud during meetings when you would make faces at me... hehe. You knew how to have fun and work hard at the same time. I don't remember a time at work when you were in a bad mood.

... I'll miss you Jason.
Sharon Chapman
I believe Jason has made a difference in our lives, and though he no longer shares his gracious spirit with us in this world, what he leaves behind is beautiful. He awakened in us all the powerful fragility of our emotions and calmed them ever so gently with his wide grin and warm words. He gave of himself never expecting to get something in return. He explored the world of ideas and science and found solace in God and nature.  I value him, his life, the moments we shared together. I thank God that he spent the last few months with us in our home, so I could know and love him. I thank you Dawn and William for bringing him into this world and ask to share with you the pain of losing him.
Scott's mother, Sharon
Brittney Jensen
I met Jason when I was a freshman at Stanford and he was a junior. He was friends with my friend Corinne's older brother Scott, and he became like an older brother to me. He was such a sweetheart, and I'd always go talk to him if I needed cheering up or advice on breakups, friendships, homesickness, whatever. He was so handsome and muscley, plus he could dance. Eventually I developed a full blown secret crush on him, even though he was sort of taken at the time. We lost touch since graduation (I didn't realize he lived right by my parents!) but I will always remember him with a warm smile. Love and prayers to all his family and friends.
Stacy Chapman
This last year Jason drew a prime hunting tag in the Sierra NevadaMountains.  It was the coveted G3 tag.  Many hunters take years to draw it or don't draw it at all.  He drew it the first time putting in for the draw.   Now it wasn't just luck that drew him this tag.  I now believe it was divine providence.  Regardless, we were all very excited he drew the tag because that meant that we would get to scout the area with him and Kurt would get to guide for him.  It is some of the most beautiful country!  We took many scouting trips before the season opened.  The hunt turned out to be successful for Jason.  He took an AWESOME buck.  (You can see it in the picture gallery.) He was so happy about that buck.  Just before Christmas he decided to make deer sausage with his deer.  So, Jason and Scott came over to our tiny little kitchen to make sausage.  There was barely enough room for the three guys and myself to fit in the kitchen but we made it work, we were flinging meat everywhere, laughing and talking.  Now I want you to picture the sausage making process. You have to stuff that meat into tiny casings. Knowing the minds of guys, imagine the funny conversations that took place.  Well, during the stuffing of the sausage, I looked over at Jason and he had a very long sausage wrapped around his neck.  At that moment he looked back at me and in a lyrical voice said, "Stacy, do want some sausage?"  We all broke out laughing.  I wish I could have composed myself enough to get a picture of that moment.  But, I will never have sausage again without thinking of my hunting buddy and brother, Jason.  Rest in Peace Jason in those higher hunting grounds in the sky!
Maria Vogel
I had the opportunity to meet Jason this last summer. We weren't friends for long but for the short time I knew him, he left an impression on my life. My cousin introduced me to him while I was visiting. He went to Disneyland with me and my girls. I didn't expect to hit it off with him like we did. The girls loved him he was so kind to us. We had some of the best conversations that I have had with anyone for a long time. He was very intellectual and understanding and one of the most non-judgemental people I have encountered. We went to a swing club one night with my cousin and I discovered Jason knew how to dance! We had fun swinging around at the bar where everyone was else was doing hip-hop! He had promised to come to MT and try out the cowboy bar with me. I spent every day with Jason for the rest of my visit. We had such great conversations and so much fun! Jason even made me doubt some of my cynical views on men and people because I realized there are some great ones out there! I never expected to meet such a great friend while on vacation!! One day when I got back home I had a dozen roses delivered to my door because Jason thought I sounded down when he was talking to me on the phone. I don't think anyone has ever done that for me before. When I spoke with him, he always remembered everything I had told him during some of our long talks and would ask me about it later. He always wanted to know how the girls were. He was definitely a special person and I was blessed to have known him for the time I did. I will miss him and always think about the time we had together with fondest memories.
Marcie Van Dusen
I didn’t know Jason as well as I wishes I had. I had a brief encounter with him over Christmas break. He was full of energy and treated me like one of the family cracking on me right away. I know the people he surrounded himself with loved him very much and cherished the time they spent with him. My thoughts are with his family and friends he will be missed.
John Garfinkel
I was a very big fan of Jason's -- among the big teddybears, he was the biggest (in all respects!).  One of the funniest things I'll never forget was when Gladden and Chappy crashed at my tiny studio apartment in NYC on the upper west side right after graduation, and Gladden, the fiercest dude I know, asked me "if it was safe" to walk to the corner at 10pm to get a hotdog.
Mike Lacy
My first memory of Jason was only a couple of years ago when he came into my prepress department and offered to help do whatever.  I knew he was new to the printing industry but we were in the middle of our busy season and he jumped in and without much advice from me, and started churning out the work. To me that is the greatest quality that I will always carry about Jason, he was unafraid and unintimidated by anything! His mind was so sharp that he could asses the situation and DO the solution before there was a problem.
If only there was a way to go back in time . . .
I will forever see him as the ultimate problem solver, no matter what the task.
Sharon Catalan

In 2004, I started work for VirtualPBX.com and that's how  I became very good friends with Jason.  He was very friendly and he had a hearty laugh.  And the thing that I loved about him, he never said no to me (fix my computer, talk to my customer on the phone, fix a customer configuration, you name it).  We would take lunches together, hang out on weekends and I set him up with my friends.  When he moved to a new house, I gave him my extra sofa.  He came to my birthday parties and I took him to my friend's parties.  I remember when we went to the Forum and we were dancing, he twirled me around vertically like a baton.  He had such a great sense of humor and he always made me laugh.  He had a funny way of dancing.  We had such a great time together.  We even went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras together.  Little did I know that that would be my last happy memory of him.  We were in the jacuzzi, at the apartment that we rented, having one of our "philosophical" talks and then suddenly, he dropped his cell phone.  We laughed so hard. 


When I learned about what happened, I cried my eyes out.  I will miss his bear-hugs, his happy disposition, his ability to listen to my non-stop chatter, his non-judgmental and caring ways, his c'est la vie attitude and his brotherly love.  I never had a chance to tell him how great a person he was and how he touched my life.

 


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