Jason Alan Demler

September 13th, 1977 - April 8th, 2020

Jason's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Jason here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Jim and Nancy, I'm really very sorry. I have so many great memories growing up with Jason. Our first class together was 2nd grade and we stayed close until after high school. We had so many good times at your house / airfield, cruising in the trucks or the Monte (if we we're lucky), working together at Palisades, and the many get-togethers where some times you had to tell us to quiet down. Thank you both for always being so great to all of us friends of Jason's and for sharing him with us. God bless you.

John Schneider

Jim & Nancy,

I met you a few times hanging out with Jason, and I’m sure you don’t remember me, but I shared these memories to my Facebook page and thought you should see what a wonderful son you raised...

This one hurts. It hurts a lot. And those of you that know Demler (Jason, JD, J), know what I'm talking about. They understand why this pain is so great.

Demler was different. He was loyal, genuine and kind. He was a giver. He opened his heart and home to anyone that needed it and gave everyone everything he had. If he didn't have it, he'd find it. He did all this without asking for anything in return. Not once. Not ever. That's the kind of human being Jason was, always making people laugh and smile and feel safe, loved and appreciated. He knew no other way.

I remember first meeting Demler back in high school and instantly feeling like I'd been his friend forever. He had that way about him, like he could fix all your problems and celebrate all your wins on a moment's notice. And he did. He truly cared about the well-being of others. It's not something he tried to do; he just did it because that's who Demler was. It was so natural for him. You were drawn to him because of his personality and stuck around because it was hard to imagine your life without him in it. His heart was SO big and he was such an incredible person and friend. Even after leaving Michigan and moving to Virginia, I still went back to visit him almost every time I was home. He was somebody you'd make time for...

I will never forget all the time I spent with you, J. A lot of people knew you for all the epic parties you threw, but it was when I drove by your house and there were no cars in the driveway, except for your Chevy truck, that I was the most excited. I knew I'd get to spend time with YOU and maybe a couple of close friends. Those were the simplest times, but they were the best times.

I'll always remember our late nights playing Worms Armageddon with Sarah and Tim, all of us sitting extremely close to the television so we could see the best possible way to blow each other's worms up. Listening to Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr (I'm pretty sure I heard 'Family Tradition' a million times), "poppies" and introducing me to the world of "real" country music. Tonka juice, but I called it tonga juice for some reason. Four wheelin', cruising in your truck, bonfires. Rebel. Your absolute disgust towards anything Ford. Your love of flying. Saying 'love you' every time we parted. Your sheer will to protect me and others from everything evil in this world. Sitting on the tailgate of your truck, listening to music and joking around with each other. Late night talks with you and good friends in your living room. Man, you sure loved to chat and just get to know people. There are so many more memories with you that will always make me laugh and smile; I’m sure we will all reminisce about those when we get to celebrate your life together.

While I may eventually forget how we spent our time together as I grow older, I will never fail to remember your sweet disposition, your piercing blue eyes and your hugs. You gave the best hugs. And I'll most certainly never forget the way you cared about me and others. You deserved to grow old, J. You deserved to live a life in which people took care of you the way you took care of them. I hate that you are gone, but I hope you left this earth knowing how many people loved you.

I love you, buddy. Take care of my dad up there. ❤️