Jason Beattie

Jason John Beattie blessed this world with his presence on January 21, 1969.  He almost did not get to stay.  A medical emergency at birth required a massive blood transfusion requiring him to be med evacuated to another hospital so his life could be saved.  He obviously survived and we are all the better for having him in our lives.  He would be pleased to know we are gathered together to honor him today, but not so pleased with any backdrop of pomp and circumstance.  He was the most genuine and giving person you could call a friend.  Phony, insincere behavior was one of his major enemies.  Let’ s correct that; he did not have any enemies.

Jason at his core was a born again hippie, and in a good way.  Had he been born earlier it is easy to see him giving away food at Peter Coyotes Free Store in Haight Ashbury during the mid 60s, and then walking across the street to render aid at the medical clinic to folks coming down from a bad LSD trip.  The hippie culture left an indelible impact on America.  Jason would have fit right in.  He was nonjudgmental, tolerant and accepting of any and all who wanted to be his friend.  He loved the natural world and abhorred violence.  If you were in trouble he would be the first one to render aid.  All religions of the world interested him….Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism. Native American…..just to name a few.  He was whip smart and took a lot of college courses, not with the intention of getting a degree but just learning about things that were of importance to him.  He was the epitome of what a free spirit should be.

One of Jason’s greatest attributes was to be a caretaker.  He was the protector of his intellectually disabled brother Greg throughout his life.  Anybody who said or did anything harmful to Greg would face the wrath of Jason.  For 13 years he mentored and took care of an intellectually disabled client who lived at this residence.  Jason loved sports and socialized with a very devoted circle of friends.  He always made sure the client entrusted to his care got to be one of the boys and included him in all kinds of gatherings.

There is a photo montage of Jason you are invited to take a close look at.  In one of the pictures Jason is holding a rifle.  You would think this conveys the message he was a hunter.  He was anything but.  He only killed a can with that rifle, but most likely felt bad afterwards for hurting it.

Jason died in his sleep in his favorite chair with his favorite guitar by his side.  He had apparently been writing down some ideas about the music he wanted to play.  His Mom and I are sure he had every intention of waking up in the morning and continuing his music practice, but it was not meant to be.  He died in his sleep, peacefully….the way we all want to go.

Live well.  Leave well.  Jason passed both tests with flying colors.