Drawbacks About Adventures

“One of the drawbacks about adventures is that when you come to the most beautiful places you are often too anxious and hurried to appreciate them…”

The Horse and His Boy, C.S. Lewis, 1954

The Oregon Coast (ORC)

The Oregon Coast (ORC), April 2008

Jason Presley, 1971-2008

Obituaries are intended for people who have lived a long life. They are to be a beautiful chronicle of a long life well-lived, with stories of love, loss, adversity, perseverance, victory, family, and faith. We expect to see a lengthy list of the names of grandchildren, and the meaningful civic accomplishments of an active retirement. The passing is peaceful, as if Death chose to honor this one with the absence of pain and the guaranteed security for the immediate family.

In contrast, the obituary of a young person is absurd, a preposterous interruption, a shock to normalcy. Premature loss is perhaps the most frustrating tragedy of life’s narrative, because we are left with the sense that we have been robbed of something, that there is a work left unfinished, that all is not right in the world tonight. It’s like ripping half the pages out of an engrossing novel, or uprooting a fragile sapling before it has a chance to fully bear it’s fruit, or a thief stealing a gift that this world had not yet had the opportunity of fully receiving and knowing.

Jason and I cooking beef at Pepperdine University, 2002.

With the passing of my former boss, mentor, and friend, Jason Presley, the world has truly lost a gift from God. I have known Jason since 2001, and I spent two years working closely with him as a Residential Advisor at Pepperdine University, where he taught me the meaning and importance of community. I have seen the up close, real, raw Jason, and the way he died is not nearly as important as the way he lived– unashamedly passionate about people and the fulfillment of their dreams– his quirky humor and madness– his raw relationship with friends– his relationship with his God inspired a faith that dreams big dreams; a religion of joy and laughter in knowing that he is extravagantly loved.

I spent this past weekend in Sacramento with Jason’s family and friends. Very little was said, even during our times of prayer. What is most significant is the legacy which he leaves us with– a legacy of unceasing capacity and enthusiasm for people. I leave Sacramento knowing that the joy in which Jason lived every day of his life here on earth, is now made complete, for he is now with the One in whom is the fullness of joy.

A short film produced by Brumme.com starring Jason Presley.

The Sacramento Bee wrote an obituary for Jason HERE, and his company offers a generous tribute HERE.

If you would like to practically help Michelle, Aria, and Lyra in any way, please feel free to contact me at theresmore@gmail.com or call (707) 838-6750.

Jason Daniel Presley

Jason Daniel Presley went to be with His Lord Jesus Christ on March 24, 2008 at the age of 36. Jason loved life, his beautiful wife, Michelle, and his two precious daughters, Aria, age 9, and Lyra, age 2. Most of all he loved his Lord and Savior. Jason will be terribly missed by his parents, Gerry and Aurora Presley of Santa Rosa, his sister and her family, Jenny, Clark and Mattias Kayler of Sacramento, and his precious brother, Jonathan Presley of Santa Rosa. He will also be missed by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many extended family members and dear friends from all over the world.

Jason grew up in Santa Rosa and graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1989. He attended Pepperdine University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, graduating as valedictorian in 1994. Jason went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in 2004.

Jason had a smile that lit up a room. He was both humble and joyful, and was considered by many to be “a friend to all.” He loved writing poetry and children’s stories, cooking and baking, and spending time with family. He also enjoyed making up games and riding bicycles with his two young daughters. Jason’s wife Michelle said of her husband, “He had a motto: ‘Life abundant, life abandon!’ He wanted to get everything he could out of life.”

At the time he became ill, Jason and his family were in the process of moving to Santa Rosa from Sacramento, where he worked as a marketing strategist for LJ Urban, an Eco-friendly developing firm. He was an early advocate for sustainable communities, including housing made with recycled materials and powered by solar energy.

A memorial service has been planned for Saturday, April 5th at 2 p.m. It will be held at Redwood Covenant Church, 3175 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. All are invited. A fund has been set up to help his family; if you are interested in contributing please call (707) 838-6750.