March 20
March 20
So many are missing you Jason ❤️
Jason passed away on March 20, 2021. He is survived by his two daughters, Julia and Abby; father, Tom Ketner; wife, Ginger Ketner; Stepchildren Christian and Savannah; brother Tom Ketner (Melanie); sister, Betsy Johnson (Greg); and nephew and nieces, Jordan, Lexi and Jadyn. Jason was a 1990 graduate of Valley High School in Iowa, where he was known for being an incredible swimmer (top 10 best in the state at the time!)
After high school, Jason enlisted in the US Coast Guard, and was stationed on Long Island, New York. It was there that he met his first wife, Jenny. Jason was very proud of the time he spent serving his country. He was honorably discharged in 1995, with a medical retirement for a shoulder injury.
Following the USCG, he completed his Associates Degree at the University of New Hampshire, worked for a time in San Diego, and then completed his Bachelors at Stony Brook University.
After leaving New York, Jason spent time living in Texas, New Hampshire, Arizona, and finally Tennessee. He married Ginger in 2017 while living in Arizona. He moved to Tennessee in 2019 and bought his dream home. He spent the last few years perfecting his home and yard.
Friends will surely remember him as the life of the party, with a love of music and karaoke. Can anyone hear the Beatles or Elton John without thinking of him? And anyone with kids might know him as "Jungle Gym Jason." I hope that you will share your pictures, stories and memories of Jason, for those he leaves behind.
A celebration of Jason's life will take place on July 10 in Houston TX. Please message for details if you plan to attend! In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honor Jason is invited to make a contribution to his children's college fund via UGift529.com Use the following codes: Julia - 66Z-B1P Abby 95Q-T3M
After high school, Jason enlisted in the US Coast Guard, and was stationed on Long Island, New York. It was there that he met his first wife, Jenny. Jason was very proud of the time he spent serving his country. He was honorably discharged in 1995, with a medical retirement for a shoulder injury.
Following the USCG, he completed his Associates Degree at the University of New Hampshire, worked for a time in San Diego, and then completed his Bachelors at Stony Brook University.
After leaving New York, Jason spent time living in Texas, New Hampshire, Arizona, and finally Tennessee. He married Ginger in 2017 while living in Arizona. He moved to Tennessee in 2019 and bought his dream home. He spent the last few years perfecting his home and yard.
Friends will surely remember him as the life of the party, with a love of music and karaoke. Can anyone hear the Beatles or Elton John without thinking of him? And anyone with kids might know him as "Jungle Gym Jason." I hope that you will share your pictures, stories and memories of Jason, for those he leaves behind.
A celebration of Jason's life will take place on July 10 in Houston TX. Please message for details if you plan to attend! In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honor Jason is invited to make a contribution to his children's college fund via UGift529.com Use the following codes: Julia - 66Z-B1P Abby 95Q-T3M
Tributes
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March 20, 2023
March 20, 2023
Thinking about you today Jason, as I do often. Also thinking of your beautiful daughters.
So many great memories of you, and so sorry that you aren’t here with all of the people who truly loved you. ❤️
So many great memories of you, and so sorry that you aren’t here with all of the people who truly loved you. ❤️
March 22, 2022
March 22, 2022
Can’t believe you have been gone a year! We talk about you often and will miss you always! ‘Paggi’
April 6, 2021
April 6, 2021
Jason and Jenny were quick to become our close friends living in San Diego. Jenny and I were enrolled in our doctoral program and Jason and Dan were one of a few spouses of students in our program. Jason always was so kind, FUNNY, and engaging. His laugh was contagious and it was heard often. Jason and Jenny often threw parties and Jason’s laugh would fill the room!
When we left San Diego, I found it so cool that their two children—Julia and Abby are the exact same ages as our two girls! I got the chance to meet your girls in 2018. What incredible and beautiful girls you have, Jason. May you Rest In Peace, Jason.
When we left San Diego, I found it so cool that their two children—Julia and Abby are the exact same ages as our two girls! I got the chance to meet your girls in 2018. What incredible and beautiful girls you have, Jason. May you Rest In Peace, Jason.
April 4, 2021
April 4, 2021
Jason. I vividly remember the day my best friend Jenny introduced me to her new boyfriend. He was magnetic, handsome, and hands-down the funniest guy in the room at all times. Most of my early memories of him involve laughing. He was great fun to laugh with and I felt like I could say anything to him-no matter how crazy, insane, or inappropriate, and we would all get hysterical. He was the life of every party when I knew him back then and a damn fun guy to hang around with.
It’s probably been more than a decade since I’ve seen him and many things have changed, but I really do wish him peace, love, and eternal laughter. Mostly, I just wish him peace.
It’s probably been more than a decade since I’ve seen him and many things have changed, but I really do wish him peace, love, and eternal laughter. Mostly, I just wish him peace.
April 3, 2021
April 3, 2021
I will always remember the night we all met. So many beautiful memories were made that summer, and for so many summers after that. Countless nights at the beach, in town, doing nothing but feeling like it was everything. We all grew up together...dated, had our hearts broken, graduated college, got married, got divorced, had kids....we shared a lot. It’s hard to imagine a world without you in it somewhere. I will always see you in those amazing girls you helped create. I hope you’ve found peace, Jason. Rest easy, old friend.
March 30, 2021
March 30, 2021
Jason, I met you many years ago when Jen and I had all the time in the world to hang out. I remember your contagious smile and soft demeanor. Your enthusiasm for life, nature and people was inspirational. Your sense of humor was priceless and your wit spot on. You made this world a better place because you were in it. You will truly be missed.
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
Some of my favorite memories of Jason involve him being “Uncle Jason” to my two boys. On a family trip to Washington DC when T.J. was 4, I remember Jason teaching him how to do cartwheels on the mall. I pretty sure T.J. spent most of that trip on Jason’s shoulders! On our first trip to Mendum’s I remember Uncle Jason teaching Zack, a toddler at the time, how to throw rocks in the water and Zack saying “more” over and over and clapping every time a rock hit the water. I think Jason threw a hundred rocks that day.
Whenever we would come to visit, Uncle Jason would always greet the boys with a “What’s up Buddy” and a really big hug. I can still hear him saying it.
Rest easy Jason.
Whenever we would come to visit, Uncle Jason would always greet the boys with a “What’s up Buddy” and a really big hug. I can still hear him saying it.
Rest easy Jason.
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
thank you for making those the increcible people that i love so dearly and for showing me how wrong i have been to my loved ones in my past. Im glad you are no longer suffering
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
Sweet Jason.... I've known you for over 40 years. You were always such a sweet, loving soul. (You're the first boy I ever got caught kissing....by your mom!!) You had the most beautiful eyes, an amazing smile and such a wonderful laugh. I'm so heart-broken that you are gone. Even though we hadn't seen each other in quite some time, about 10 years ago, you came for a visit!! That was such an amazing reunion!! It felt like no time had passed at all!! I took you to my parents house, and the Carney's were there (growing up, my folks, your folks, Carney's, Burkes, and the Beckenbaugh's got together almost every Friday night!!) and everyone was so excited to see you!! I remember my husband and I going to dinner with you and you just kept laughing and smiling and saying "I can't believe I'm at dinner with Stacey Zabel!" That same trip, we brought my kids to your hotel to go swimming and you kept throwing them and playing with them in the pool and they just loved it!! You were the coolest guy, in their eyes!! (You also stopped at my house and proceeded to stand on the railing of my upper deck, trying to stop the tree limbs from constantly rubbing against our roof...I was petrified that you were gonna fall!! You just smiled and laughed!!) I pray that God wraps His arms around your family and gives them comfort during this difficult time. I am so very heart-broken for all of them. You were definitely one of a kind, and even though you aren't with us physically, you will forever be in our hearts. Love, Stacey
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
Oh Jason....this is just so very sad. There are a couple of tributes that I'd like to share.
First, what a tremendous friend you were to George. When his body was really failing him, you would get him out of that wheel chair and make him walk. You would put weights in his hands and make him do exercises. You would take him places. When my mom was just so tired of the daily routine, you would show up with that smiling face and just light up the room. You were a bright light in a dismal situation. I will never ever forget that, and just how good you were to my parents. <3
The other memory that I want to share is a touchy one, because it could land us all in hot water.....but....here goes.
In the worst of times, our family was known to go on certain "runs"....there may have been a golf course involved... it was our way of relieving stress, I guess, but as I said earlier to Jenny, they were "some of the best of times, in the worst of times". In this one particular "run", it was pitch black.....you were behind myself, David and Lauren. I heard you yell "KICK IT INTO HIGH GEAR"!!! With that, you came FLYING by us as fast as your legs could go....and totally WIPED out right in front of us.....I think you were even hurt to some extent, but we all just lost it, at your expense, and of course, it became, and will always be a favorite saying and memory. I feel that someday, I may have to indoctrinate your daughters to one of these "runs", in your honor.
Rest in Peace Jason. We will remember the good times. <3
First, what a tremendous friend you were to George. When his body was really failing him, you would get him out of that wheel chair and make him walk. You would put weights in his hands and make him do exercises. You would take him places. When my mom was just so tired of the daily routine, you would show up with that smiling face and just light up the room. You were a bright light in a dismal situation. I will never ever forget that, and just how good you were to my parents. <3
The other memory that I want to share is a touchy one, because it could land us all in hot water.....but....here goes.
In the worst of times, our family was known to go on certain "runs"....there may have been a golf course involved... it was our way of relieving stress, I guess, but as I said earlier to Jenny, they were "some of the best of times, in the worst of times". In this one particular "run", it was pitch black.....you were behind myself, David and Lauren. I heard you yell "KICK IT INTO HIGH GEAR"!!! With that, you came FLYING by us as fast as your legs could go....and totally WIPED out right in front of us.....I think you were even hurt to some extent, but we all just lost it, at your expense, and of course, it became, and will always be a favorite saying and memory. I feel that someday, I may have to indoctrinate your daughters to one of these "runs", in your honor.
Rest in Peace Jason. We will remember the good times. <3
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
Jason was always funny, sweet and an excellent listener. He adapted to life wherever he was and could be seen driving around WHB in his car with his “ILVMYDR” license plates! He was handsome and smart and seemed always ready for life’s next adventure. He accepted new friends and treated them like part of the family. His baby girls filled his heart with joy and life seemed so joyous for him with his new family. I pray that his girls are able to latch on to the warm and positive parts of his soul that truly made him shine. Ultimately, he desperately wanted to love and to be loved. Wishing for much peace for his entire family on the long road to healing.
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
Jason was a fine man who I respected and admired a great deal. I was looking very forward to working with him in the future. I know he loved his family very much, and his girls in particular, and they have been in my thoughts every day since hearing of this tragic news. May God bless the Ketner family.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
March 20
March 20
So many are missing you Jason ❤️
March 20, 2023
March 20, 2023
Thinking about you today Jason, as I do often. Also thinking of your beautiful daughters.
So many great memories of you, and so sorry that you aren’t here with all of the people who truly loved you. ❤️
So many great memories of you, and so sorry that you aren’t here with all of the people who truly loved you. ❤️
March 22, 2022
March 22, 2022
Can’t believe you have been gone a year! We talk about you often and will miss you always! ‘Paggi’
Gallery
Julia’s tattoo representing her, Abby and Jason
Julia Prom 2022
Can’t think of a better way to remember Jason than at an Elton John concert!
The rock on the left is Jason’s as soon as you walk down to the beach. Jason has his very own rock.
Where the ocean can wash over him. As you all know he was a water lover!
The view down to the beach
Jason is here on the west coast by Big Sir. He absolutely loved it here! This is the beach.
Jason’s final resting place. May his spirit live on in all of us
Jordan’s grad dinner - December 2017
Jordan’s ISU graduation- December 2017
Recent stories
My dear friend Jason
July 10, 2021
by Kathleen Cox
Jason was a true friend.
He always had a hand to lend.
He could make you smile,
Even if you hadn’t seen him in a while.
He did things his own way.
He made the most of every day.
He loved to sing and swim.
His family could count on him.
He loved with all his heart,
Which made it hard to part.
Although he’s not around,
He’s up there looking down.
When you look up above,
Remember him with love.
He was a true friend
All the way to the end.
He always had a hand to lend.
He could make you smile,
Even if you hadn’t seen him in a while.
He did things his own way.
He made the most of every day.
He loved to sing and swim.
His family could count on him.
He loved with all his heart,
Which made it hard to part.
Although he’s not around,
He’s up there looking down.
When you look up above,
Remember him with love.
He was a true friend
All the way to the end.
Jason- The swimmer
March 30, 2021
by Jenn Bourret
Jason’s competitive swimming success was truly remarkable
because he didn’t start swimming until he was a teenager while most of his
teammates joined the sport before the age of 10. He told me he beat his brother
in a race in a hotel pool- the only time he beat Tom at anything! Tom told him
to go out for the swim team, so he did. Jason said Coach Hugo tried to get him
to quit and even suggested he become a diver. I’m sure this was just coach’s
way of motivating him to work harder. Here’s a picture of Jason swimming the
200 Individual Medley for West Des Moines Valley at the Iowa high school state championship his senior
year. He is at the bottom of the picture. (picture courtesy of my brother Bill,
who is two lanes from Jason) Jason went on to swim at the University of
Northern Iowa.
Karaoke- 2015
March 30, 2021
by Jenn Bourret
In 2015, I went to New Hampshire to help Jason pack for a move. We went out to dinner and had
some fun singing karaoke. We sang Friends in Low Places together and he sang
solo on Born to be Wild. (see video section)