In Memory of Jason Daniel Smith
May 17, 1977 - February 11, 2001

Jason Daniel Smith died February 11, 2001, at the age of 23. Even though he died young, he lived his life to the fullest. He tried not to let anything get him down.

Jason lived in Fayetteville, NC where he was born and raised with his family, which included a younger brother, Adam and younger sister Staci.

He graduated from Pine Forest High School, and then joined the Air Force. He then attended N.C. State University majoring in Engineering. He was on the A-B Honor Roll.

In his second year as a sophomore at N.C. State University, he starting getting severe headaches and was sick all the time. When his family found out he was having blurred vision, severe headaches, and nausea, they immediately got him home and to the doctors. They found the brain tumor at Highsmith-Rainey Memorial Hospital.

The doctors told the family that the brain tumor was in a place called, “God’s Country.” Jason had his choice to stay at Highsmith-Rainey Memorial Hospital or go to Duke University Hospital. He chose Duke and was airvaced that night on August 11, 2000.

The staff at Duke University Hospital was tremendous in Jason’s care. They were totally professional and tried everything they could to help Jason. They kept our family comfortable and were always concerned for us as well as Jason. All the nurses fell in love with Jason. He’s always been such a polite and sweet young man; you couldn’t help but love him. He had this precious smile all the time. You would never have known the pain he was in.

The doctors at Duke tried chemo and then radiation, but it seemed like God just wanted him to come home. Jason had been through too much and his body was worn out. He had to travel every day during the week back and forth to Duke for the treatments.

So, after many weeks of this, we had to call an ambulance to take him to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. He stayed there, and he passed away on February 11, 2001—this was exactly six months from his diagnosis.

Jason loved his family. He truly loved his mom, dad, brother, and sister. He was always a homebody, loved to watch movies, play basketball, and just to hang out with his best friend, John.

I sure do wish he could have met his sister Staci’s baby, Joslyn. He would have loved her so much. She is so beautiful and precious.

On Jason’s grave, we had the phrase put, “His smile touched many lives.” That is truly what you think of when you think of him...a smile, a rainbow, a light in the dark, sunshine, and ………especially a ladybug!!
Plus, we know he is waiting in Heaven for us.--

From Your Cousin Christy Jones

Steve Smith and Teri Arce – Parents
Adam Smith and Staci Smith LaCosse (Brother and Sister)
Joslyn LaCosse – Niece
Lt. Col. Daniel and Mrs. Maxine Connelly (Maternal Grandparents)
Hazel Smith – Paternal Grandmother
Gary Connelly – Maternal Uncle
Pete and Sylvia Jones – Paternal Uncle & Aunt
Christy Jones – Paternal Cousin