Life is short. You hear this all the time but how often does it sink in? We go about our lives missing out on the experiences laid out before us. After all, there are bills to pay and spreadsheets that wait for no one. Our work consumes us, taking time away from our family and impacting our overall happiness and ability to connect with others.
This is the case for most of us. Jason Collett was not like most of us.
Jason passed away on August 9, 2024 at the age of 52. For those who knew him, he left an indelible mark on their lives. He is survived by their shared stories and the love, guidance and passion he provided to those closest to him.
Having moved to Tega Cay 18 years ago with his wife Michelle, Jason lived a life rich in experience, love and a sense of connection to the community that’s hard to fully grasp. He was a rock climber, sailor, surfer, master brewer, author, successful businessman and father. According to his wife Michelle, “he lived 3 lifetimes in one.”
Jason started traveling the world at age 13 with Up With People (https://upwithpeople.org/), a charity group designed to connect people through the performing arts. An accomplished cellist, Jason used the lessons learned in his youth to bring people together in his adult life. “He was always helping people and was able to connect two people that you wouldn’t think would normally connect,” said Michelle.
He met Michelle at a rock climbing facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he had been teaching. During their 7 years of dating, the two remained active. One of their many hobbies was sailboat racing.
While participating in a race in Chicago, Jason asked Michelle to help him with something at the top of the mast. Once they were both at the top, he proposed. As part of the proposal, he had convinced the entire yacht club to join in the celebration. He wasn’t one to miss an opportunity to make a lifetime memory.
The two were married in 2003 and brought 3 children into the world; Alexandria (19, a sophomore at Western Michigan University), Samantha (16, a junior at Fort Mill High School) and Nathan (15, a sophomore at Fort Mill High School).
As you would expect based on his active lifestyle, Jason took no shortcuts when it came to fatherhood. He taught his kids different life skills such as; building a fire, the proper way to carve a walking stick, writing a resume and how to network with others. He also knew how to have fun, teaching them to snowboard and ski while showing Nathan how to play baseball and wake surf.
At the time of his passing, Jason was writing a book called Pivotal Moments, a book guiding readers on leveraging critical moments for transformative outcomes. Although the book is not complete, his Mother will be finalizing it and hopes to bring it to print in the near future.
I asked Alexandria and Michelle to describe Jason using 4-5 words and they offered, “adventurous, dreamer, brilliant, loyal and mentor.” These provide a window into the exceptional impact Jason had on his family, friends and neighbors within our community.
According to Samantha, “I couldn’t even name all of the individuals that his life impacted and helped but I bet you if I could ask him today, he could name every last one. He cared for people more than anyone I know, all he wanted was to be able to help everyone and bring happiness into this dark world.”
Michelle added that he was much more focused on experiences than anything else. He’d say, “let’s talk about the next experience we’re going to have.” He was not the kind of person who would sit idle.
For those of us that believe there’s a better place beyond our own, it’s a small solace to know Jason is now at rest.
Or perhaps he’s just living one endless experience after another.
That seems more fitting.
