Dana Michelle Widing

Dear Jason,

I've been thinking about what to get you for your birthday for a few months and decided that I'd get you something that you couldn't just go buy yourself.  I've asked friends and family to send me their favorite memory of you and each of them.  I have enjoyed reading everyone's feedback and I hope you enjoy it too.

I'll start.

One of my favorite memories of you (there are too many to choose) is from right after Jayden was born and we were on our way to Costco in Pearl City.  As we were nearing Costco you noticed a man laying on the sidewalk.  You pulled over immediately and helped him. I love that memory because it really encompasses many memories I have of you.  You always look for people to help and you have taught our family that we should always find those in need.

One more, just the other day out of the blue I was thinking about the first time that we went to Disney World with the kids and the joy on your face. Thanks for making all of the trips we take full of fun memories.

Happy 40th Birthday!

Braley Johanna Widing

I remember the year I turn 8 and we were camping at Wattam Lake where all the Huckleberries were.  We were 3 1/2 hours from our house and I really wanted to get home on my birthday so I could get my ears pierced.  You got me home in time to get my ears pierced and then we went to dinner at Famous Dave's. Thanks for doing that.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Ansen Sjors Widing

I really like when we go to Father and Son's because we go without Mom and the girls.  It is fun to camp with you and eat junk food, like corn dogs and licorice and you let me drink Coke cause Mom isn't there.  I like watching movies with you too while we are at Father and Son's. 

Happy Birthday Dad!

Jayden Kahaulani Widing

Dad, my favorite memory of you is from my 9th birthday. I was pretty upset that you were missing it because of work because Mom, Braley and Ansen and me were going to the movies to see the  new Ice Age movie. I told Mom that we didn't have to go to the movie but she said we had to.  Before the movie started you called Mom's phone to wish me Happy Birthday and then told me to turn around.  There you were!!!! I was really happy to see you!

Happy birthday Dad!

MJ Barkley

Uncle Jason, do you remember the time in Grandpa' s blue house that Mullet Boy (Jordan) was hiding behind some trees over by the gravel driveway with no clothes on? And you came outside proclaiming to Jordan "You better get inside before a bird gets your worm!" Your funny comments and sayings like "Pick it and flick it" are unreplaceable. You have a great sense of humor!

Happy birthday Uncle Jason, Markie

Laie Falls

Mark Brakley

Jason we have had so many great memories- like the  mow show, watching lots of “Living Color” and the “Simpsons”. One of the best memories was when we bundled up during the 3 week long Ice/snow storm and took the dune buggy out to do cookies and ended up on Hwy 213 almost getting smashed by a truck speeding by. Whew that was close.  Ahh, the good ol days. You have always been a great friend and brother. 

Love you Jas, Mark

 

Storybook Lane

Emily Barkely

I am so glad that you are my uncle.  You have an amazing, goofy and fun personality! I love spending time you with and Aunt Dana and the kids and I really hope I will be able to spend more time with the you guys!   I also loved spending the 4th of July with you this year. I also remember having Thanksgiving with you in Corvallis. I was always so excited when you would come over because I knew we were going to have fun! But my favorite memory of you is when you baptized me. That was very special for me. I thought it was the coolest thing for you to baptize me:) I love you very much and hope you have an amazing birthday!

July 10, 1997

Danna Barkley

 

There are so many memories that we have but the one that stands out to me is your love and dedication to your family. You are a great example of how to love and how to forgive through all challenges of life. It shows in your children. You are a great brother, uncle, husband and father. I am proud of all your accomplishments!! Thank you for your example!!

 I love you always!!!

 

Back in the day

Travis Reed

My memory involves when we all went out to Golden Coral, which was your idea. You wanted to treat everyone. Dad of course wanted to pay for the family also. You sent me to distract Dad so you could sneak your credit card to the waitress. Although I can't remember who actually ended up paying, it showed how generous you is.  I hope to be able to return the favor someday when we visit you.

Allure of the Seas

Kirstin Reed

A good memory I have of you was at our last family vacation. I had a great time at the water park. However it was what happened as we reached the water park that stands out to me. The price for a locker was ridiculous and we were all prepared to pay it. Thinking outside of the box, you just causally struck up a conversation with the employee at the locker rental desk. You sweet talked that girl into giving us a key to a locker whose time had not expired yet. Needless to say, we were all grateful. It illustrated to me once again that you are very resourceful and creative. You are a master of demonstrating how people respond more positively to kindness and genuine interest. It is an admirable talent. I know it's an odd memory to pick out, but that was a great day.

Happy Birthday!

Farmer

Mom

One of the most memorable things that I remember about Jason is he always made me feel good.   Jason seemed to have that smile that melted your heart and the humor to make me laugh and have a feel good feeling. Mothers are to be there for their children but Jason was the glue that held me together...I hope that through the years that I have been there for him too. Heavenly Father sent him to our family for a purpose and how grateful I am that He did.  When I was pregnant with Jas I felt so pretty, so you see Jas it started long before you were born...that happy feel good feeling.

Jas do you remember the puppet you had...do you still have it? No matter what mood you were in when you went to bed that puppet always made us laugh...we both laughed so hard.  Did you ever go to bed mad?  I hope not!

As a mother I tried to overlook the errors of your ways or try not to be too hard on you and hopefully you learned from the punishments.  For instance:  The day I sent the wooden spoon to school because we received a note that you were misbehaving...I wrote a note on the back of the wooden spoon and said use it when needed.  The principle sent a note back and said he used it on each buttocks and hasn't had to use it since.

One other time you were kicked off the school bus and I made you walk five miles to school and I followed you as you walked in front of the car.  As I think back on that I'm not so sure if that was the right thing to do because if I had known better that was not the highway for you to be doing that.  We had not been in our new home very long and as the years went by I realized how dangerous that highway 213 was.

One day I picked you up at Butte Creek Grade school and I was upset about something and I was driving through Marquam at 55 miles an hour, the speed limit was 35 miles an hour, and here came the siren and I got a ticket and that just tickled you...I listened to you all the way home...That was a big thing to you...but I had to pay a $135.00 fine...YIKES!!!   I should have taken that our of your allowance but I don't think you got one at the time...or I should have had you work that off...It must have been that sweet smile.

Now to end with something positive,  Your graduation from the eighth grade...You looked so cute and "SPECIAL"  in your black suspenders and pink shirt and black bow tie.  I'm not the only one that thought you were cute!  LOVE YOU LOTS JASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Thanks for the memories Jason! Love,Mom

Hukilau 2000

Dad

Jason just might be the only seven year old to stand on the top of Eagle Cap.

With huge blisters on his feet, disappointment showed on your face when Dad said," No you cant finish the 50 mile hike with the older Scouts."

Sleeping in a old red Tent with Dad (your legged) that week in the mountains was to accomplish everything the older Scouts did.

You were sick the night before we left Portland but as always -no complaints.  We drove 300 miles and hiked 3 miles up hill to our first Campsite. Once the Mountains were in your blood they stayed there forever.

Now with a boy of your own it wont be long before you will be sleeping in some old red tent listening to the sound of the night together.

Goodnight son---I love you.

Dad Forsberg

I remember going to Hawaii in October to meet his first granddaughter, beautiful Jayden Kahaulani.  The weather was great and Jason invited me to go to the beach with he and Kirstin. The beach we were going to was "Pounders".  Jason warned me that the surf was going to be rough.  But I knew that I could handle it, so in I went.  All three of us were in swimming when I was hit by a pretty big wave from behind.  I was trying to get back on my feet when another wave ricocheted off of the rock Jetty and smacked me on the side of the head!  That was enough for me for the day and I headed in to shore with my pride bruised.   Jason got a good laugh from the experience because he had "warned me!".

Happy Birthday!

Oregon vs. Wisconsin

Mom Forsberg

In the spring of 1997 you came to visit Dana shortly before the wedding.  Dana was home and we were preparing everything for the upcoming nuptials. You took us all by surprise and arrived in Springfield and looked so different than when we had met you a year earlier and different than all of the pictures we had seen.  Unfortunately, you were just recouping from having the chicken pox.  You had been so ill that you had lost a lot of weight and shaved your hair all off. Dana was so happy to see you and have you be a part of getting ready for July 10th.

You were both young and very much in love and it was fun having you spend a few days with us. We were able to get to know our future son-in-law and see the prospects of our daughter's future.

And...

After graduating from Ricks College you embarked on a cross country trip to visit with us and then head down to Florida for your internships with Disney.  You were both so excited to be working for Disney and the trip was just icing on the cake.  You two had adventures along the way but the best call came from Dana when she called to say that Delilah, the little dog you were traveling with, just had puppies at Grandma and Grandpa Van Den Berghe's house!

This was a surprise to both of you and a special gift for us!  It was exciting for Kirstin, Anders and Jamie to have little pups to care for.  Delilah was an extra bonus as well.  Poor Barney didn't know what had happened.  They were adorable puppies and Delilah was a good mom.  it was great watching the pups grow and it offered us a lot of fun and excitement for the next seven weeks.  You and Dana had a good visit with us including painting the foundation of the house, tubing, Dana being run over, and a canoe on top of the Trooper!  It was a relaxing time and fun to get to see the bond that you had as a couple and the growth that you had both made.  Finally it was time for you to leave to get down to Florida.  You left and we had an additional seven dogs to care for!

1998 & 2001

Melinda Franks

I remember what a great cook Jason is. Several times you have had us over for dinner and I think you, Jason, cooked every time! Or at least Dana let you take the credit for it! It is also a great memory when you guys were in Utah for work and you guys came through little Manti and stopped in to visit. I was having a terrible day before you came, but the visit just made my day. I will always appreciate the good friends you and Dana both are!

Happy Birthday Jason!

Sverige

Lucero Murphy

The first thing that came to mind was an act of service you gave to our family. We were outside our home in Woodburn. You were obviously just getting home from work. You saw that our car had a flat tire and Sean was trying to change it. Sean was really upset, etc. (this was towards the end of our marriage). It was not a good situation. You noticed us, and just stopped to help. You had on nice work clothes and didn't seem to care, and stayed until it was fixed. With a great smile and attitude. It really made everything better. I was able to use that act of kindness to teach Sebastian about service and acting as soon as we see a need. 

Thank you for being a great example Jason! I am sure you have no idea of the impact this had on me and Sebastian. But it made a huge difference for us that day.

Daddy's best friends

Julie Winquist

Oh, I have lots of stories but one I will share was all the fun Eric, Danna, Jason & I had playing tag in the nursery next to their house....sneaking in the back gate...or just all the fun we had period when I'd come and spend the weekends with the. Great memories! 

Happy birthday!

Riding pals

Eric Battles

Jason and I have spent many a day on the road together, whether it was visiting new funeral homes or State conventions.  This was a sneaky pic I took of Jason at an Oregon Funeral Directors Association convention a couple of years ago.  We were about 4 minutes into a riveting presentation on possible infections from the embalming process and how to prevent them when....

Snoring......Loudly......

Happy Birthday Man.

Micheal Stimpson

Thanksgiving Home Town Buffet style.

Disney's Yacht Club 2009

Cameron Black

• 
  

  Jason and Cameron.... Lets just start off by saying when Jason and Cameron get together, watch out world.... you never know what it going to happen. The first time I met Jason was in Georgia when he was introducing me to new accounts. We stopped by the local favorite BBQ place and I think Jason ate the whole menu and topped it off with Peanut Butter Pie. That man loves food just as much as I do. I knew when it was time to eat, we were going to eat good. 

  With that being said, when I moved to Colorado to take over that region, Jason was going to come into town so we could go and visit several potential firms. I looked forward to him coming as I knew the food was going to be GREAT!!! After we met up at the rental car place Jason asked if I was hungry and of course I was. He then said does Subway sound good because I am on a diet!!!!!!! All he wanted to eat on that trip was Subway and his bag full of protein bars..talk about a let down...LOL... I do have to say though that he did get pretty sexy as he lost some of those eating pounds. Also I will never forget when we were sitting in Pueblo Colorado waiting in the lobby at Roselawn. We were waiting for the manager to come back from lunch. When the manager got there we saw that he brought his lunch back and we overheard him tell the admin that "I went out to get a sandwich, but I came back with a couple of tacos".... We both just looked at each other and just laughed because it made perfect sense!! Jason you are a great friend and I am looking forward to all the new memories that we will share together. I hope you have a Great Birthday!!! Big 40!!!!

   Love ya Man

Paulina Peak 2012

Mike and Tab Stimpson

Dear Jason….just kidding….YO JASE! (that betta’?)
So what can I say that probably has already been said???   You friend, are a friend for life! Your WHOLE family…are our friends for life!! The last, what 3-4+ years has been a great blessing to get to know you and your family.  Some of our memorable moments….

   * DINNER TABLE TALKS & LAUGHTER
    *CAMP FIRE TALKS & LAUGHTER
    *DOUBLE DATE NIGHTS OUT
    *SHARING YOUR MUST HAVE, yet not so rated good flicks…shhh I won’t tell Dana ;)
    *CHIT CHATS IN THE CHURCH HALLWAYS…when we were suppose to be in Sunday school
   *LAZY SUMMER SUNDAY BBQ’S AFTER CHURCH
    *LATE NIGHT POW WOW PLANNING FOR DISNEYWORLD  (!!!!!!!)
   * JOKING & GOOFING OFF till TEARS ROLLED DOWN OUR CUTE FACES
    *SCREAMING AT OUR KIDS… “EAR MUFFS!!”
   * BEING THE BESTEST SIDELINE CHEERLEADERS FOR OUR KIDS CITY OR SCHOOL SPORTS  (by the way…you and mike need to work on your sportsmanship attitudes ;)
    *WARD CAMPOUT NEIGHBORS
    *HARP FESTIVEL BAND
    *SHOWING US YOUR SUPER POWER FOR FINDING FESTIVALS MILES AWAY
    *TILLAMOOK ICECREAM WHILE AT WARD CAMPOUT
    *SHARING YOUR “OBAMA’s FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT” IN WOODBURN
    *JUMPIN OFF WATERFALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST
    *CAVE EXPLORING MILES UNDER THE STATE OF OREGON
    *CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND CAROLING
    *SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS TO OLD PEOPLE WHO SMILED A MILE LONG
    *HIKING UP HUGE MOUNTAINS JUST TO CATCH THE MARVELOUS SUNSET
    *STARTING OFF THE YEAR RIGHT WITH A HUGE PARTAY’
    *TASTIN’ YOUR YUMMIES YET SPICIEST MEATBALLS AROUND
    RIVER SWIMMING
    *“GLAMPING” PARTNERS
    *WAKING UP FROM A THUNDERSTORM, then WATCHING THE LIGHTNING STORM
    *SHOWING US THE WAYS OF HOW A PARADE GO’er  DOES IT
    *CATHOLIC CHICKEN!!!!!!!!
    *MOLALLA BUCKAROO AT ITS’ FINEST
    *STAR GAZING
    *CAMPFIRE SONGS & GAMES
    *LAKE SWIMMIN FOOLS
    *HIKED UP TO THE HOTSPRINGS WHERE NAKED PEOPLE LIKE TO GO
    *DOODLE BUG BIKER GANG
    *SHOOTIN GUNS OFF SOMEWHERE IN THE WILD WILD WEST
    *YEARLY HAUNTED HOUSES TO SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF DANA
    *‘SMORRIOR WARRIOR DASH – KRAZY YET BEST DRESSED
    *WATCHING YOU LIGHT FIREWORKS WHILE HOBBLING AWAY ON YOUR BOOTED       FOOT
    *GO DUCKS! (that sir was a very awesome yet selfless act you did for your friends)
    *WATCHING WALKING DEAD LATE AT NIGHT IN THE DARK
    *UFC FIGHT NIGHTS (didn’t think we would ever convert you into liking it!)
    *POKER NIGHT WITH THE GUYS
    *BACKPACKIN IN THE WOODS FOR A WEEK

Geesh!! I could go on and on! But I’ll just name a few. Just like you said in your testimony a few weeks ago….we wouldn’t be where we are today…if it werent for you, (Dana and your family!) and your friendship! You guys’ friendship means the world to us! You’re an example of what a true and selfless friend is and should be. You are always there for your friends.
And it is an honor to call you our friend.

Love, The Stimpsons

Chun's 2012

Chad Lenz

Where do I begin to comment on Jason Widing? The man, the myth, the legend (in his own mind). In all seriousness, Jason is one of my closest friends and trusted colleagues. Truly a "brother from another mother", Jason defines what it means to have a big heart and has shown me countless times the meaning of generosity, unconditional friendship, and the value of hard work

I'm a better person for knowing Jason Widing.

Happy Birthday J-dub!

Melona bars!!!!

Alice Querette

• Just few words for Jason! I will always remember the great summer I spend with him, you and all your family! I enjoyed so much the trip. You were nice with me, I never met people like you, you were friendly, funny and kind with me. I have so good memories, I can't talk about all of them! I am in the south of France and I don't have all my pictures, but a I found this one with all the family! It make me fun when I see the picture! I remember this afternoon, it was next to the beach! It was so nice, we played with kites and I ate the best breakfast of the world! The time we spent at the beach is one of my best memory! I was very sad to leave you and comeback in France! Now I am studying in Montréal is not really far to USA! I hope Jason will have a great birthday! But with your perfect family I am not worried about his birthday!

  

  
  

Seaside

Damon Fairchild

While we love the many great times we shared there are few of them that compare to the love we shared for one beautiful 1978 Chrysler Lebaron!! Power windows, power locks, ac, pleather seats, room for 8 - easily! We love that you bought it and them sold to us so that even after you were gone we might think of you both each time we sat in those ever so comfy seats!

Yes, I could have mentioned sneaking into PCC, bobbing in HUGE waves at Waimea, or watching Kahau dig into an (unused) tampon at diamond head, but the car...the car means so much to us! Libbie swears we will own one again someday!

Boston Commons '96

Ryan Montgomery

It's hard to recall because I was only about 8 years old. I remember Jason, myself, and some other cousins were running around in a backyard. I can remember it was an old white house that had stairs leading to the back yard. Jason was yelling and hollering and acting crazy. He was making all of us laugh and I just remember it was fun being around him. To me he looks exactly the same as back then when he was probably 10 only without a goat tee.

Happy Birthday cousin!

40 miles

Jamie Semenoff

Jason was so fortunate to have the opportunity to let me live under his roof for a whole 2 years, so where do I even begin with my favorite memory?! The chicken wing song, his special beans, tootles (ta-oo-les), car shopping, clicker vs remote, supporting my serial dating, making fun of Dana's Friday shirt, and so many other mems were so fab, but they don't take the cake. Sometimes the simplest memories are the most fun, which leads me to Jason Widing, found guilty like clockwork of being couch sitting JEAN WEARER at night. Who wears jeans, on the couch, at night, when trying to get comfy?! Jason Widing does, guilty as charged, and for as long as I live and see him committing this criminal activity, I will call him out on it everytime! Happy birthday Jason!!

The 80's were cool

Jenn and Dave Morgan

Jason, Dorothy called and she wants her shoes back.  What a good hubby, holding his wife's purse..or is it his? :)

Jason never ceases to put a smile on my face or make me laugh. This picture was from October 2009 at dinner on the annual Fright Night Out group date.

Happy birthday to the most funny guy I know who's pretty awesome too. Dave and I are honored that you are our friend.

Blanca Torralba

Something I remember about Jason was when he got back from his mission and we lived with grandma and grandpa. We'd be cooking and he'd be down to eat anything we cooked. He always treated us like family. We're so lucky to have him in our life.

Ward Dash

Joe Lulich

Jason memories, there are so many. I think one of the things about Jason that stands out to me is his rebel nature. I've never truly experienced dining out until ordering food with Jason, he taught me the the true meaning of ordering food. Also a lot of fun being a rebel and playing poker until we got caught. I think this world would be a lot duller place without Jason. Oh yea and going to any public event where cheering is involved, nothing else like it. Hope we can make a lot more memories.

Super Trio

Libbie Fairchild

Sooooo many fond memories of Jason! But one of my fondest is the first time we went on a double date together. We were brand new married at BYUH and didn't really have any friends. You guys were so friendly to us and asked us to go to Pizza Bobs. I didn't know it at the time, but you had just found out you were pregnant with Jayden. I remember thinking that Jason was so sweet to you, and making sure whatever you guys ordered sounded good to you. I could see how much he loved you and cared about you. (I also sort of figured out in my head that you were knocked up)! I feel really lucky that I was able to be there for the 1st year of you guys raising your first baby. I got to see first hand how much Jason loved that little girl. I was terrified to have kids because I had grown up with a father who was absent. I knew that I had married someone who would be totally different, but seeing Jason be such a great father eased my mind. Jason, you are a wonderful husband, father, and friend. What a privilege it is to have you in our lives! We love you!

Warrior Dash

Tina Lucero Donnaloia

Wish i could think of all the funny stuff Jason did. It was just so constant and so funny I can't really pick something specific. More than anything I loved his smile and his laugh and the little prankster eyes with the head shake he would give me right before he did something silly or naughty. I also loved how his mom would simply say with a little giggle, "oh Jason". The one that sticks the most was the one and only time I was a Tattle tail. He was trying to make my brothers eat dog food. They were just about to do it when it dawned on me that even though I thought it was a little funny too, I was their big sister and should probably stop it from happening, you know, in case they got sick. I felt bad after I told on him even though none of us ever got in that much trouble!

Buckaroo

Cecilia Torralba

One of the best memories and examples uncle Jason has given me is to always be yourself. No matter what it is always do something that makes you happy. Don't try to please the world. I'm so grateful to have him in my life and have him be one of the people I look up to and know I can count on forever and ever. Love you uncle Jason. Hope you have an amazing birthday! You don't look a day over 20!

Joel Kongaika

  I will forever remember Jason stepping up to run as BYUH student body president with me as his running mate. He was originally the campaign manager for Chris Lowe, but literally the night or two before when were about to make campaign signs, Chris found out he was disqualified from running due to subpar grades. Jason and I decided we had nothing to lose by partnering up to run against the long standing incumbents, so off we went on a crazy few weeks of campaigning. That experience probably launched my passion for politics. Although we lost by a slim margin, Jason and I became sweat and blood brothers.

 I also loved the many experiences we shared in the BYUH Concert Choir!

 Happy Bday big J!

Business in the front, party in the back

Nikki Forsberg

For some reason I love relating food experiences to people.. and well I've had two good food experiences with you, Jason. The sushi buffet (the one where you grab it off of the moving belt) we went to in Oregon when we visited, June 2008..my first and only ever! It was awesome.

 And the delicious Italian he found when he was down here when you both visited November 2012. 

I always think of you when I drive past that joint.

Chinaman's Hat 2012

Daniel Parker

I remember in May 2007 the morning I was moving back to Utah to stay with my parents for a few weeks before moving on to Sweden, Jason stopped by my apartment on the way to work to say goodbye and wish me well. A small gesture, but extremely thoughtful.  I know I have a great friend in Jason even from so far away.

It's your day

I have a feeling this year is going to be great!

We ALL love you.

Happy Birthday