Jayson’s life was one that touched so many different people over the years. Even as as little boy, he was always full of surprises. He had so much energy and spunk – nothing ever scared him. We would get a call from a neighbor, telling us to look across the street at the huge fir tree in front of the house. There he was at the very top of it reaching for a kite that was obviously out of reach. His Dad would coax him down, promising there would be a new kite. He talked us into adopting a little abandoned dog named Buddy, promising to share him with his sister, Trina. He did share – giving her the “bottom” half and he got the “top” half. Jayson had many adventures with his older brother John and his younger sister, Trina. All three of them were born within 3 and a half years so it was easy to be friends together, always busy and up to something – or into something. There were the wonderful neighbors next door, Aunt Joy, Diane and Jan who were a second family to the kids. When Jayson was about 2 years old, he would sneak out of the house very early in the morning and go next door. Aunt Joy would make him breakfast in her little kitchen and visit with him until she had to go to work. She would safely deliver him back home. It was some time before she realized that we had no idea this was going on. Jayson was a very funny, cleaver, happy child. He always had a “business” going and he was a hard worker. He loved taking things apart and putting them back together. He did this with a bike, then a boat, loving every minute of it. He had a lawn mowing business and when he was 16 years old, he went to mow his Amma’s (grandmother in Icelandic) lawn. Unfortunately the mower was not in good condition, stalling – he kicked it to start it and when it did, the laces of his high top tennis shoes were pulled into the mower. He lost two toes but he never complained about it, He went on to ski and snowboard and it never slowed him down. When Jayson was in his early twenties, he was up at Key Bank in North Seattle during a pretty notorious robbery. The robbers had guns. They had everyone in the bank terrified – the teller that Jayson was dealing with was so scared she panicked. One of the men came over to Jayson and held the gun to his head. Somehow, by the grace of God, Jayson was able to talk to the guy and calm him down. The robbers took the money and there was a police chase which ended up in a shoot out in downtown Seattle. About a week later, I was in the bank and when the teller saw my name, she asked if I was related to Jayson. When I told her I was his mother, she started crying and said that Jayson saved her life. Jayson never mentioned it. He did tell us that when he lay on the floor, his life passed before him and all he could do is ask God to forgive him for his wrongs and take him to heaven. That is very profound to us now and a comfort. Jayson went to Seattle Pacific University for a year and decided college just wasn’t for him. He had always loved working with his hands so he asked his Dad if he would train him to become an electrician, which his Dad did. They worked together for 14 years and then Jayson went out on his own and formed his own company. He married Tami Hughes, his college sweetheart and they had 4 beautiful children, three sons and a daughter – Taylor, Jackson, Ashton and Averie, whom he loved with his whole heart. Jayson’s life was not without trouble and struggles, but he clung to the hope that the future would be one of new beginnings. He had plans that were cut short. He will be in our hearts and minds for all time and we look forward to spending an eternity with him. There’s a song called “Great Rejoicing” and that is what we look forward to someday. We thank all the loving people who have come beside us in our grief. In the midst of pain and suffering, there is love. We feel the arms of Jesus holding us through the many prayers of our loved ones.
Memorial Service
February 13, 1 PM
Peninsula Bible Fellowship Church
9590 Radcliff Avenue Northeast
Bremerton, Washington 98311
Reception to Follow